TW202316355A

TW202316355A - Secure and verifiable tracking of agricultural products

Info

Publication number: TW202316355A
Application number: TW111134247A
Authority: TW
Inventors: 理查德Ｌ賴斯; 烏爾利希Ｇ特羅格; 肯特Ｗ詹姆斯
Original assignee: 美商Ａｍｖａｃ化學公司
Priority date: 2021-09-16
Filing date: 2022-09-12
Publication date: 2023-04-16
Also published as: AU2022348386A1; CA3231360A1; WO2023043497A1; CN117957552A; AR127051A1; UY39940A; IL311424A

Abstract

A computer-implemented system and method to collect and store data related to product stored in a container. In response to filling the container with the product, the following data are stored in at least one first record in an external database (such as a distributed ledger, e.g., blockchain): a product type of the first product; an amount of the first product filled into the first container; a unique identity of the first container; and a unique identity of a first user of the first container at the time of filling the first container with the first product. Data representing a unique identity of a container data module on the container are stored in the container data module. As the container moves, dispenses product, and undergoes changes in possession and ownership, data representing such events are stored in the distributed ledger and/or the container data module. As a result, a verifiable application/consumption record of the product within the container is generated.

Description

安全且可驗證之農產品追蹤Secure and Verifiable Tracking of Agricultural Products

本發明是有關於一種安全且可驗證之農產品追蹤。The present invention relates to a safe and verifiable tracking of agricultural products.

隨著社會及政府對氣候變化之關注日益突出，愈來愈需要減少與商業種植的糧食及纖維作物生產相關聯之溫室氣體(GHG)釋放所產生的碳足跡，其中與此類實踐相關聯之最佳管理作業(BMP)反映減少因種植作物產生之碳足跡與農業生產力之間的平衡。With increasing societal and governmental concerns about climate change, there is a growing need to reduce the carbon footprint of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with commercially grown food and fiber crop production, which are associated with such practices Best Management Practices (BMP) reflect the balance between reducing the carbon footprint of growing crops and agricultural productivity.

氮係生命之主要組份，係構建蛋白質及DNA所必需的，儘管在大氣中含量豐富，但只有有限之無機土壤氮以可用形式可供植物使用，主要為硝酸鹽(NO3-)及/或銨(NH4+)。因此，除非應用補充形式之氮，否則農業產量通常受氮可用性限制。在20世紀初，德國化學家Fritz Haber及Carl Bosch發明且開發出一種用於將大氣氮轉化為銨的工業規模製程，銨為植物容易獲得且可使用的氮之形式中的一種。在綠色革命期間，尤其在發展中國家，合成或人造氮肥之使用係作物產量大幅增加之主要原因。根據美國植物食品控制協會的官方規定，由不含動物部位、動物副產品、糞便或熬煉物之一或多種合成材料製造的任何肥料都應被視為「合成」肥料，因此使用Haber-Bosch製程之適應製造的所有氮肥被視為合成肥料。Nitrogen is a major component of life and is necessary for building proteins and DNA. Although abundant in the atmosphere, only a limited amount of inorganic soil nitrogen is available to plants in available forms, mainly nitrate (NO3-) and/or Ammonium (NH4+). Therefore, agricultural yields are generally limited by nitrogen availability unless supplemental forms of nitrogen are applied. In the early 20th century, German chemists Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch invented and developed an industrial-scale process for converting atmospheric nitrogen into ammonium, one of the forms of nitrogen readily available and usable by plants. During the Green Revolution, the use of synthetic or artificial nitrogen fertilizers was the main reason for the huge increase in crop yields, especially in developing countries. According to the official regulations of the American Plant Food Control Association, any fertilizer made from synthetic materials that do not contain one or more of animal parts, animal by-products, manure, or extracts should be considered a "synthetic" fertilizer and therefore use the Haber-Bosch process All nitrogen fertilizers manufactured by the adaptation are considered synthetic fertilizers.

目前，世界近一半人口之生計依賴於此類合成肥料之使用，但將大氣氮轉化為可用作物肥料之製程需要大量能源，估計在全球能源消耗總量之1%與2%之間。舉例而言，生產一噸人造氮肥需要大約一噸天然氣。雖然一噸肥料可能足以滿足4至5英畝高產玉米之氮需求，但類似數量之石油能源(以汽油形式的英熱單位(BTU)量測)將為一輛汽車提供動力使其以每加侖僅20哩之平均速度行駛超過8,000哩之距離。Currently, the livelihoods of nearly half the world's population depend on the use of such synthetic fertilizers, but the process of converting atmospheric nitrogen into usable crop fertilizer is energy-intensive, estimated at between 1% and 2% of total global energy consumption. For example, it takes approximately one ton of natural gas to produce one ton of artificial nitrogen fertilizer. While one ton of fertilizer may be enough to meet the nitrogen needs of 4 to 5 acres of high-yielding corn, a similar amount of petroleum energy (measured in British thermal units (BTUs) in the form of gasoline) will power a car at only An average speed of 20 miles traveled over a distance of 8,000 miles.

雖然氮肥係現代農業作物高產之關鍵因素，但它亦為全球農業GHG排放之最大單一來源。人造氮肥之使用導致一氧化二氮(N ₂O)之大量排放，此GHG之全球變暖潛能大約為二氧化碳(CO ₂)之全球變暖潛能的300倍。根據美國環境保護署2014年國家溫室氣體清冊，僅在美國，農田土壤中之N ₂O排放量為大約195百萬公噸CO ₂當量。此量與每年大約41百萬輛客運車輛之排放量相當。 Although nitrogen fertilizer is a key factor for high crop yields in modern agriculture, it is also the largest single source of global agricultural GHG emissions. The use of artificial nitrogen fertilizers results in massive emissions of nitrous oxide (N ₂ O), a GHG with a global warming potential approximately 300 times that of carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ). According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2014 National Greenhouse Gas Inventory, _N2O emissions from farmland soils are approximately 195 million metric tons of _CO2eq in the U.S. alone. This amount corresponds to the annual emissions of approximately 41 million passenger vehicles.

硝酸銨(AN)為歐洲農業中最常用之氮源。UAN (尿素硝酸銨)由尿素、氨及硝酸組成。AN肥料使用之平均碳足跡為大約每公斤施氮量5.6公斤CO ₂當量。換言之，每施用一噸氮肥，大約有5.6噸GHG排放至大氣中。 Ammonium nitrate (AN) is the most commonly used nitrogen source in European agriculture. UAN (urea ammonium nitrate) consists of urea, ammonia and nitric acid. The average carbon footprint of AN fertilizer use is approximately 5.6 kg CO ₂ equivalent per kg nitrogen applied. In other words, for every ton of nitrogen fertilizer applied, approximately 5.6 tons of GHG are released into the atmosphere.

美國碳註冊(American Carbon Registry，ACR)為美國領先的碳抵換計劃，因其嚴格的環境完整性標準而獲得認可。ACR成立於1996年，為世界上第一個私人自願抵換計劃，制定了嚴格的基於科學之碳抵換標準及方法，在碳抵換項目註冊、驗證監督及抵換發布方面具有運營經驗。ACR亦為加州總量管制與排放交易計劃(California Cap-and-Trade program)的經批准之碳抵換項目註冊及先期行動碳抵換計劃，係美國第一個經濟範圍的總量管制與排放交易計劃。作為授信組織，ACR監督按照經批准之碳核算方法或協定對碳抵換項目進行之註冊及驗證，且在透明註冊系統上發布抵換。每一抵換代表相當於一公噸二氧化碳自大氣中減少或去除。The American Carbon Registry (ACR) is the leading carbon offsetting program in the United States, recognized for its stringent environmental integrity standards. Founded in 1996, ACR is the world's first private voluntary offset program. It has formulated strict science-based carbon offset standards and methods, and has operational experience in carbon offset project registration, verification supervision, and offset release. ACR is also the approved carbon offset project registration and early action carbon offset program of the California Cap-and-Trade program, the first economy-wide cap-and-trade program in the United States trading plan. As a credit organization, ACR supervises the registration and verification of carbon offset projects in accordance with approved carbon accounting methods or agreements, and publishes offsets on the transparent registration system. Each offset represents the equivalent of one metric ton of carbon dioxide reduced or removed from the atmosphere.

名為三角洲研究所(Delta Institute)之組織啟動了一項由USDA/NRCS支援的氮信用計劃，該計劃為符合條件之玉米產區農民提供對碳信用(carbon credit)之經濟激勵，因為農民們由於使用較少氮的肥料來生產玉米作物而自願減少一氧化二氮(N ₂O)排放，該等碳信用被記入農民的賬戶。參與之農民藉由將他們的碳信用出售給氣候信託(Climate Trust)來獲得GHG減排補償，該信託係非盈利的，成立於1997年，為尋求減少農民們之碳足跡的組織管理碳抵換收購計劃及項目。 An organization called the Delta Institute has launched a USDA/NRCS-backed nitrogen credit program that provides financial incentives for carbon credits to farmers in eligible corn-producing regions because farmers These carbon credits are credited to farmers for voluntary reductions in nitrous oxide ( _N2O ) emissions due to the use of less nitrogen-intensive fertilizers to produce corn crops. Participating farmers are compensated for GHG reductions by selling their carbon credits to the Climate Trust, a not-for-profit founded in 1997 to manage carbon credits for organizations seeking to reduce farmers' carbon footprints In exchange for acquisition plans and projects.

參與該計劃之農民的GHG減排經由密西根州立大學(MSU)及電力研究所(EPRI)開發出的經ACR批准之方法進行量化及驗證。MSU-EPRI方法代表MSU科學家在美國國家科學基金會之凱洛格生物站長期生態研究地點及密西根州之商業農場進行的3年科學研究。GHG emission reductions for farmers participating in the program are quantified and verified using an ACR-approved methodology developed by Michigan State University (MSU) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). The MSU-EPRI approach represents 3 years of scientific research conducted by MSU scientists at the National Science Foundation's Kellogg Biological Station Long-Term Ecological Research Site and commercial farms in Michigan.

此等田間試驗表明，每處理面積(英畝、公頃等)的氮肥施用率為對美國玉米生產中之N ₂O排放量的最佳預測項。此類計劃證明農民可以經由減少N ₂O排放來獲得經濟回報，主要呈可銷售碳信用之形式。然而，必須解決幾個挑戰才能在全球範圍內廣泛採用類似的做法。 These field trials indicate that nitrogen fertilizer application rates per treated area (acre, hectare, etc.) are the best predictors of _N2O emissions from US corn production. Such programs demonstrate that farmers can reap financial rewards for reducing N ₂ O emissions, primarily in the form of marketable carbon credits. However, several challenges must be addressed in order for similar practices to be widely adopted globally.

舉例而言，必須解決之一個問題為如何減少氮肥之使用而不相應地降低作物產量。所有植物都需要氮才能生長及生存。氮為葉綠素之主要組份，葉綠素為植物使用陽光能量以自水及二氧化碳產生糖(即，光合作用)所用之化合物。氮亦為胺基酸之主要組份，胺基酸為蛋白質之建構組元。沒有蛋白質，植物會枯萎死亡。For example, one problem that must be addressed is how to reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizers without a corresponding reduction in crop yields. All plants need nitrogen to grow and survive. Nitrogen is a major component of chlorophyll, the compound used by plants to use sunlight energy to produce sugars from water and carbon dioxide (ie, photosynthesis). Nitrogen is also a major component of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. Without protein, plants shrivel and die.

玉米植物使用大量的氮來生長且產生經濟上可行之產量。每生產一蒲式耳穀物，玉米自土壤中去除大約1磅的氮，因此每英畝250蒲式耳之產量目標將自土壤中去除大約250磅的氮。因為即使最高產之土壤自然不含有那麼多的氮，所以農民將使用先前描述之Haber-Bosch方法之各種改進方法生產的補充性人造氮肥添加至土壤，以便實現在農民的商業上可接受之利潤水平下滿足全球需求必需之高產量。雖然本文件中反复提及玉米作為實例作物，但所有商業種植之非豆科作物都需要補充氮以便產生經濟上可行之作物產量，且回應於人造氮肥在彼等作物中之減少使用，GHG排放量之相應減少亦將出現。Corn plants use large amounts of nitrogen to grow and produce economically viable yields. Corn removes about 1 pound of nitrogen from the soil for every bushel of grain produced, so a yield target of 250 bushels per acre will remove about 250 pounds of nitrogen from the soil. Because even the most productive soils do not naturally contain that much nitrogen, farmers add supplemental artificial nitrogen fertilizers to the soil, produced using various modifications of the previously described Haber-Bosch method, in order to achieve commercially acceptable profits at the farmer's High production levels necessary to meet global demand. Although maize is mentioned repeatedly in this document as an example crop, all commercially grown non-legume crops require nitrogen supplementation in order to produce economically viable crop yields and GHG emissions in response to reduced use of artificial nitrogen fertilizers in their crops A corresponding reduction in volume will also occur.

與玉米及其他非豆科作物不同，諸如大豆、花生、豌豆、野豌豆、三葉草及其他之豆科作物與土壤中之固氮根瘤菌共生生長，該等固氮根瘤菌自土壤中之空氣吸收或「固定」氣態氮且將此氮供給至豆類。為了交換自此等土壤源細菌獲得之氮，豆科植物向細菌提供必要的碳水化合物。豆類自大氣氮獲得基本上所有氮需求之能力主要係基於它們產生根瘤之能力，固氮菌在該等根瘤中生存且繁殖。豆類之固氮量在自然生態系統中可在每年每英畝25至75磅的氮之範圍內，而在耕作系統中可以為每年每英畝幾百磅。因此，在大多數商品作物生產計劃中，豆科作物通常不需要或接受補充氮肥處理。一些豆類作物接種了基於根瘤菌之產品以促進根瘤之早期發育，根瘤使豆類能夠自大氣中固定氮。Unlike corn and other non-legume crops, leguminous crops such as soybeans, peanuts, peas, vetches, clover and others grow symbiotically with nitrogen-fixing rhizobia in the soil, which absorb from the air in the soil or " Fixes gaseous nitrogen and supplies this nitrogen to the beans. In exchange for the nitrogen obtained from these soil-derived bacteria, legumes provide the bacteria with the necessary carbohydrates. The ability of legumes to obtain substantially all of their nitrogen requirements from atmospheric nitrogen is primarily based on their ability to produce nodules in which nitrogen-fixing bacteria live and multiply. Nitrogen fixation by legumes can range from 25 to 75 pounds of nitrogen per acre per year in natural ecosystems to several hundred pounds per acre per year in cultivated systems. Consequently, leguminous crops generally do not require or receive supplemental nitrogen fertilizer treatments in most commodity crop production schemes. Some legume crops are inoculated with rhizobia-based products to promote the early development of root nodules that allow the legumes to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere.

科學研究已表明，如玉米、甜菜、馬鈴薯、小麥及其他之非豆科植物亦可自與固氮細菌之共生關係受益，但不幸地，非豆科作物不會形成或產生根瘤菌成長及繁殖所必需之根瘤。多所農業大學及農業投入公司正在開展關於使用土壤接種劑之研究，該等土壤接種劑由非本地微生物組成，該等微生物會感染非豆科植物，以使彼等植物能夠以與豆類所使用之方式一致的方式自大氣氮固定或獲得其氮需求之一部分，即使非豆科植物仍然不會產生先前認為對植物固氮至關重要之根瘤。理解此過程必不可少之事實為，與通常自大氣供應完全滿足所有氮需求的豆類不同，由於接種了此等非本地土壤微生物，利用固氮微生物之非豆科植物將只能滿足其總氮需求之一部分。然而，因為即使相對較小的氮肥使用減少也會帶來顯著的環境及社會效益，此部分歸因於與此等減少相關聯之GHG排放量的顯著減少，因此甚至利用用於諸如玉米及其他之非豆科植物的固氮接種劑替代一部分人造氮肥的可能性亦係有吸引力的。農民有機會因減少GHG排放及結合使用固氮接種劑以實現人造氮肥之相應減少的組合做法而獲得呈碳信用形式之經濟激勵使在全球範圍內及時且快速地採用此等做法之可能性增加。Scientific research has shown that non-legume plants such as corn, sugar beets, potatoes, wheat and others can also benefit from a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, but unfortunately, non-legume crops do not form or produce rhizobia growth and reproduction Necessary nodules. Several agricultural universities and agricultural input companies are conducting research on the use of soil inoculants consisting of non-native microorganisms that infect non-legume plants to enable them to be used with legumes Even non-legumes still do not develop the nodules previously thought to be critical for nitrogen fixation in plants, even though they fix or obtain part of their nitrogen requirements from the atmosphere in a consistent manner. Essential to understanding this process is the fact that, unlike legumes, which usually fully meet all nitrogen requirements from atmospheric supplies, non-legumes utilizing nitrogen-fixing microorganisms will only be able to meet their total nitrogen requirements due to inoculation with such non-native soil microorganisms one part. However, because even relatively small reductions in nitrogen fertilizer use can have significant environmental and social benefits, due in part to the significant reduction in GHG emissions associated with such reductions, even utilization of fertilizers such as corn and other The possibility of replacing a portion of artificial nitrogen fertilizers with nitrogen-fixing inoculants of non-legume plants is also attractive. The opportunity for farmers to receive financial incentives in the form of carbon credits for the combined practice of reducing GHG emissions combined with the use of nitrogen-fixing inoculants to achieve a commensurate reduction in artificial nitrogen fertilizers increases the likelihood of timely and rapid adoption of such practices on a global scale.

可用於替代一部分人造氮肥之固氮細菌產品之一個實例為來自Azotic North America之Envita™。來自管理良好之農場試驗的Azotic公佈之結果揭露，使用比對照比較中所使用之人造氮少大約25%之人造氮生產的接種Envita之非豆科作物產生與使用全速率之人造氮肥時產生的比較對照作物相當的產量。與存在僅限於根及根瘤的供豆類用於固氮之根瘤菌不同，基於Envita之微生物存在於包括葉子之整個植物中，且由此等微生物固定之氮被植物用於產生葉綠素。Envita僅為目前可用或正在開發的諸多產氮微生物產品中之一種產品，其目的為使非豆科植物能夠自固定的大氣氮滿足其氮需求的一部分。固氮產品之額外實例為來自Pivot Bio之PROVEN™。根據Pivot Bio之聲明，「PROVEN自空氣中提取出氮，且經由使用細菌來製造氨。此種細菌生活在玉米之根部且將氨供給至玉米植物。無論天氣如何，此過程在生長季期間為植物提供恆定之氮源。」One example of a nitrogen-fixing bacterial product that can be used to replace a portion of artificial nitrogen fertilizers is Envita™ from Azotic North America. Azotic published results from a well-managed farm trial revealed that non-legume crops inoculated with Envita produced using approximately 25% less artificial nitrogen than that used in the control comparison produced as much as when the full rate of artificial nitrogen fertilizer was used Comparable yields of control crops were compared. Unlike the presence of rhizobia for nitrogen fixation in legumes, which is limited to roots and nodules, Envita-based microbes are present throughout the plant, including leaves, and the nitrogen fixed by these microbes is used by the plant to produce chlorophyll. Envita is just one of many nitrogen-producing microbial products currently available or in development to enable non-legume plants to self-fix some of their nitrogen requirements from atmospheric nitrogen. An additional example of a nitrogen fixation product is PROVEN™ from Pivot Bio. According to a statement from Pivot Bio, "PROVEN extracts nitrogen from the air and produces ammonia by using bacteria that live in the roots of corn and supply ammonia to the corn plant. This process is beneficial during the growing season, regardless of the weather. Plants provide a constant source of nitrogen."

諸如Envita、PROVEN及其他之固氮微生物產品的開發及生產方面之科學進步表明，氮肥相關之GHG排放顯著減少的潛力係真實存在的，但只有在農民獲得替代以100%歷史比率施用人造氮肥之已知效能的經濟激勵之情況下才會廣泛採用，而結合如Envita之固氮微生物產品以例如75%歷史比率施用肥料之一致性有待證明。一些固氮產品已表明，當此種肥料減少與固氮微生物產品之使用相結合時，有可能在將氮肥施用率減少多達或超過50%之同時保持歷史平均產量生產。Scientific advances in the development and production of nitrogen-fixing microbial products such as Envita, PROVEN, and others have shown that the potential for significant reductions in nitrogen-related GHG emissions is real, but only if farmers get an alternative to applying artificial nitrogen fertilizers at 100% historical rates Widespread adoption will only be possible if there is an economic incentive for performance, and the consistency of fertilizer application at historical rates of eg 75% in combination with nitrogen-fixing microbial products such as Envita has yet to be proven. Several nitrogen-fixing products have shown that when this fertilizer reduction is combined with the use of nitrogen-fixing microbial products, it is possible to reduce nitrogen fertilizer application rates by as much as or more than 50% while maintaining historical average yield production.

儘管以上描述集中在農作物及用於生產彼等作物之土地面積或田地，但應理解，大面積草地係用於乾草生產、用作牲畜食物或用於牲畜放牧，牲畜經由放牧之過程將放牧地區之活植物材料作為食物食用，而非由機器進行收割且儲存。無論用於乾草生產或用於牲畜放牧，諸多草地都使用合成氮肥施肥，因此減少草地上之肥料使用以便減少與草地施肥相關聯之GHG排放的目標及實現此目標之做法屬於減少合成氮肥之農業使用的定義。Although the above description has focused on crops and the areas of land or fields used to produce them, it should be understood that large areas of grassland are used for hay production, for livestock food, or for livestock grazing, the process by which animals move grazing areas Live plant material is eaten as food rather than harvested and stored by machines. Many grasslands are fertilized with synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, whether for hay production or for livestock grazing, so the goal of reducing fertilizer use on grasslands in order to reduce GHG emissions associated with grassland fertilization, and the practices to achieve this goal, falls under synthetic nitrogen fertilizer reduction agriculture Definitions used.

如上所述，諸如氣候信託之組織願意向農民支付由諸如美國碳註冊之授信組織確證的碳信用。一旦諸如美國碳註冊之授信代理確證農民確實減少了特定量的人造氮肥使用，與使用針對特定地區之特定作物的最佳管理實踐通常施用的肥料之量相比，使用每噸人造AN肥料之GHG排放量的5.6比1比率，計算與每英畝施用的肥料減少量相關聯之GHG排放量減少係簡單的算術問題。32% UAN肥料為硝酸銨與水的含32%氮之混合物，因此一噸的人造UAN肥料含有640磅的氮。使用需要250磅氮之每英畝250蒲式耳玉米的先前列舉之實例，此量之25%減少為62.5磅。使用先前描述之5.6比1比率，揭露每英畝減少62.5磅人造氮肥將導致每英畝GHG排放量相應減少350磅。在美國，碳信用通常基於產生多少噸GHG排放減少來計算及支付。由於350磅代表2,000磅噸之17.5%，因此可以確認每英畝的氮肥施用率與通常生產目標產量所需及施用的施用率相比減少62.5磅應該有資格獲得相當於當時每噸信用價值的碳信用。作為全球領先的農業諮詢公司之一的標普全球(S&P Global)在2020年2月報告中指出：「碳價格已經在40個國家及20個城市及地區實施。根據關於碳定價趨勢之2019年世界銀行報告，截止2020年，每噸40至80美元之碳價格範圍對於達到根據2015年巴黎協定設定之目標係必要的。」在此練習中使用每噸60美元之中點數，60美元之17.5%為此實例中之人造氮肥用量減少62.5磅每英畝的農民產生每英畝10.50美元之碳信用值。As noted above, organizations such as the Climate Trust are willing to pay farmers carbon credits verified by a crediting organization such as the US Carbon Registry. Once a crediting agency such as the U.S. Carbon Registry confirms that farmers have indeed reduced artificial nitrogen fertilizer use by a specific amount, the GHG per tonne of artificial AN fertilizer used compared to the amount of fertilizer typically applied using best management practices for a particular crop in a particular region With a 5.6 to 1 ratio of emissions, calculating the reduction in GHG emissions associated with the reduction in fertilizer applied per acre is a matter of simple arithmetic. 32% UAN fertilizer is a 32% nitrogen mixture of ammonium nitrate and water, so one ton of artificial UAN fertilizer contains 640 pounds of nitrogen. Using the previously cited example of 250 bushels per acre of corn requiring 250 pounds of nitrogen, a 25% reduction in this amount is 62.5 pounds. Using the previously described 5.6 to 1 ratio, it was revealed that a reduction of 62.5 pounds per acre of artificial nitrogen fertilizer would result in a corresponding reduction in GHG emissions of 350 pounds per acre. In the US, carbon credits are usually calculated and paid based on how many tons of GHG emission reductions are produced. Since 350 lbs represents 17.5% of 2,000 lb tons, it can be confirmed that a reduction of 62.5 lbs per acre in the rate of nitrogen fertilizer application compared to what would normally be required and applied to produce the target yield should qualify for carbon equivalent to the then-current value of each ton of credits Credit. As one of the world's leading agricultural consulting firms, S&P Global (S&P Global) pointed out in a February 2020 report: "Carbon prices have been implemented in 40 countries and 20 cities and regions. According to the 2019 report on carbon pricing trends The World Bank reports that a carbon price range of US$40 to US$80 per ton by 2020 is necessary to meet the goals set under the 2015 Paris Agreement.” The midpoint of US$60 per ton is used in this exercise, and the range of US$60 A 17.5% reduction in artificial nitrogen fertilizer use in this example by 62.5 pounds per acre yields carbon credits of $10.50 per acre for the farmer.

確認或確證實際施用至田地之人造氮的量具有挑戰性。雖然在參與先前描述之ACR/三角洲研究所氮信用計劃的合作農民之田地中實施且監測嚴格的生產實踐協定，但碳信用授信代理及/或碳信用營銷人員無法提供對大規模實施對農民之碳信用支付將需要之數百萬塊土地的人工監察，以換取源於減少使用人造氮肥與施用固氮微生物產品相結合之組合做法的GHG排放減少。確證施用至諸多田地中之每一者的人造氮肥總量之方法或系統無法手動地實施，亦非確證固氮微生物產品經施用至諸多田地中之每一者以便在施用較少人造氮肥的情況下補充作物之氮需求的過程。對於農民獲得之碳信用，確證在何處及以何種速率應用固氮及其他土壤健康及可再生農作物投入亦係重要的，因為除了能夠獲得碳信用以減少與種植作物相關聯之GHG排放之外，農民亦可由於增加在種植商業生產作物之田間土壤中儲存或封存之碳量而獲得碳信用。Identifying or corroborating the amount of artificial nitrogen actually applied to a field is challenging. While rigorous protocols for production practices are implemented and monitored in the fields of partner farmers participating in the previously described ACR/Delta Institute Nitrogen Credit Program, carbon credit accreditation agents and/or carbon credit marketers are unable to provide insight into the impact of large-scale implementation on farmers. Carbon credit payments will require manual monitoring of millions of acres in exchange for GHG emission reductions resulting from a combination of reduced use of artificial nitrogen fertilizers combined with application of nitrogen-fixing microbial products. A method or system for verifying the total amount of artificial nitrogen fertilizer applied to each of a plurality of fields cannot be implemented manually, nor does it verify that a nitrogen-fixing microbial product is applied to each of a plurality of fields so that less artificial nitrogen fertilizer is applied The process of supplementing the nitrogen requirements of a crop. Identifying where and at what rate nitrogen fixation and other soil health and regenerative crop inputs are applied is also important for carbon credits earned by farmers, in addition to being able to earn carbon credits to reduce GHG emissions associated with growing crops , farmers can also earn carbon credits for increasing the amount of carbon stored or sequestered in the soil of fields where commercially produced crops are grown.

一種用於收集及儲存與儲存在一容器中之產品相關之資料的電腦實施之系統及方法。回應於用該產品填充該容器，將以下資料儲存在一外部資料庫(諸如一分散式賬本，例如，區塊鏈)中之至少一個第一記錄中：第一產品之一產品類型；填充至第一容器中之該第一產品之一量；該第一容器之一唯一身份；及在用該第一產品填充該第一容器時該第一容器之一第一使用者之一唯一身份。將表示該容器上之一容器資料模組之一唯一身份的資料儲存在該容器資料模組中。隨著該容器移動、分配產品且經歷持有權及所有權之變化，將表示此類事件之資料儲存在該分散式賬本及/或該容器資料模組中。結果，產生該容器內之該產品之一可驗證施用/消耗記錄。A computer-implemented system and method for collecting and storing data related to products stored in a container. In response to filling the container with the product, the following data is stored in at least one first record in an external database (such as a distributed ledger, e.g., a blockchain): a product type for the first product; an amount of the first product in the first container; a unique identity of the first container; and a unique identity of a first user of the first container while filling the first container with the first product. Data representing a unique identity of a container data module on the container is stored in the container data module. As the container moves, dispenses product, and undergoes changes in possession and ownership, data representing such events is stored in the distributed ledger and/or the container data module. As a result, a verifiable administration/consumption record of the product within the container is produced.

本發明之實施例係關於用於在一外部資料庫(諸如一分散式賬本，例如，一區塊鏈)中記錄關於容器中之農產品之資訊的電腦實施之方法及系統。以下描述揭示此類方法及系統之多種實施例。Embodiments of the invention relate to computer-implemented methods and systems for recording information about produce in containers in an external database, such as a distributed ledger, eg, a blockchain. The following description discloses various embodiments of such methods and systems.

舉例而言，本發明之實施例可用於驗證某些碳信用合格活動係遵照與獲得一或多個碳信用相關聯之要求進行的。舉例而言，本發明之實施例可在製造點追蹤產品，產品在製造點被轉移至可與產品轉移設備及產品施用設備通信之帶標容器。在產品資訊係儲存在容器標籤上之實施例中，產品資訊可包括例如產品類型、填充在容器中之產品的量、填充時的容器之位置、填充之日期及時間及容器中之產品及/或容器本身的製造商、所有者及持有者。此確定可追蹤之產品的出處或鑑識有效性，諸如用於獲得碳信用之目的。For example, embodiments of the present invention may be used to verify that certain carbon credit eligible activities were performed in compliance with the requirements associated with earning one or more carbon credits. For example, embodiments of the present invention can track products at the point of manufacture where they are transferred to labeled containers that can communicate with product transfer equipment and product application equipment. In embodiments where the product information is stored on the container label, the product information may include, for example, the type of product, the amount of product filled in the container, the location of the container at the time of filling, the date and time of filling and the product in the container and/or or the manufacturer, owner and holder of the container itself. This determines the provenance or authenticity of traceable products, such as for the purpose of obtaining carbon credits.

本發明之實施例亦可用於驗證與某一基線相比，已經達成產品使用之減少。由於多種原因，產品使用之此減少可為有益的，諸如減少合成人造氮肥之溫室氣體排放，減少殺蟲劑及營養劑環境負荷，減少環境敏感地區(諸如墨西哥灣、乞沙比克灣及五大湖)及/或森林保護區、濕地及瀕危物種繁殖區中的污水逕流。本發明之實施例之關鍵益處為該等實施例以難以或不可能經由欺詐或人為錯誤規避之方式提供驗證此等減少依照環境法律法規及公司政策已經達成或可能更重要地尚未達成的能力。Embodiments of the present invention can also be used to verify that a reduction in product usage has been achieved compared to a certain baseline. This reduction in product use can be beneficial for a number of reasons, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions from synthetic artificial nitrogen fertilizers, reducing the environmental load of pesticides and nutrients, and reducing ) and/or sewage runoff in forest reserves, wetlands and breeding areas of endangered species. A key benefit of embodiments of the present invention is that they provide the ability to verify that such reductions have been achieved or perhaps more importantly have not been achieved in compliance with environmental laws and regulations and corporate policies in a manner that is difficult or impossible to circumvent via fraud or human error.

本發明之實施例亦可用於驗證在特定位置或區域(例如，特定的緯度及經度或一組緯度及經度)使用或未使用(例如，施用、分配、轉移、種植或消耗)特定產品(例如，殺蟲劑或肥料)，或在特定位置或區域中使用(例如，施用、分配、轉移、種植或消耗)不低於或不超過特定量之特定產品。舉例而言，本發明之實施例可使用在外部資料庫(例如，分散式賬本)中建立且儲存之記錄來證明有機農場沒有使用非有機化學品。以無法偽造之方式建立記錄的此程序表示對現有技術之顯著改良，現有技術依賴於人類自我報告者之真實性及準確性，無論有意地或無意地，人類自我報告者都可以不准確地記錄及/或報告特定化學品及/或多種化學品在特定位置或區域中之使用或不使用。Embodiments of the invention may also be used to verify the use or non-use (e.g., application, distribution, transfer, cultivation, or consumption) of a particular product (e.g. , pesticides or fertilizers), or the use (for example, application, distribution, transfer, planting, or consumption) of a particular product in a particular location or area at no less than or no more than a specified amount. For example, embodiments of the invention may use records created and stored in an external database (eg, a distributed ledger) to certify that organic farms do not use non-organic chemicals. This process of creating records in a manner that cannot be falsified represents a significant improvement over the prior art, which relies on the veracity and accuracy of human self-reporters, who, whether intentionally or not, can inaccurately Document and/or report the use or non-use of a specific chemical and/or chemicals in a specific location or area.

本文中揭示之某些實施例使用分散式賬本來儲存資訊。分散式賬本將對其所有資訊及交易之控制交給賬本之使用者且提升透明度。分散式賬本技術使交易時間減至最小且有助於提高效率及自動化。與非分散式賬本中央資料庫會計相比，更高之安全性及客戶信賴度通常與分散式賬本會計相關聯，此歸因於分散式賬本會計之去中心化性質及交易記錄不變性。Certain embodiments disclosed herein use distributed ledgers to store information. A decentralized ledger puts control of all its information and transactions in the hands of the users of the ledger and increases transparency. Distributed ledger technology minimizes transaction times and facilitates efficiency and automation. Greater security and customer trust are generally associated with decentralized ledger accounting compared to non-distributed ledger central database accounting due to the decentralized nature and immutability of transaction records in decentralized ledger accounting.

區塊鏈為一類分散式賬本。區塊鏈技術提供安全且有效地建立交易活動之防篡改日誌的方式。區塊鏈技術通常用於為廣泛範圍之產品提供鑑識品質交易會計，僅舉幾個例子，包括國際轉賬、非同質化代幣(NFT)或加密貨幣交易、股東記錄及甚至農產品。分散式賬本會計程序速度快且為使用者提供通常耗時、耗紙且昂貴之交換所程序的更安全之數位替代品。Blockchain is a type of distributed ledger. Blockchain technology provides a secure and efficient way to create a tamper-proof log of transaction activity. Blockchain technology is commonly used to provide forensic-quality transaction accounting for a wide range of products, including international money transfers, non-fungible token (NFT) or cryptocurrency transactions, shareholder records and even agricultural products, to name a few. Distributed ledger accounting programs are fast and provide users with a more secure digital alternative to clearinghouse processes that are often time-consuming, paper-intensive and expensive.

寫入至分散式賬本之資料在網路上係不可篡改的。隨著時間的推移，經由一系列交易，將建立準確且不可變之審計存底。出於審計及/或鑑識目的，此非常有用，因為所有資料都儲存在沒有單個實體擁有或控制資料之地方，且沒有人可以改變已經寫入之內容。此提供類似於複式簿記之益處，但出錯或欺詐之機會更少。Data written to the distributed ledger cannot be tampered with online. Over time, through a series of transactions, an accurate and immutable audit trail will be established. This is useful for auditing and/or forensic purposes, since all data is stored where no single entity owns or controls it, and no one can change what has been written. This offers benefits similar to double-entry bookkeeping, but with less opportunity for error or fraud.

儲存在不使用分散式賬本技術之中央資料庫中的交易資料可與儲存在分散式賬本中之資料一樣準確，且本文中揭示之實施例可使用分散式賬本技術及/或中央資料庫來儲存資料。雖然兩種類型之系統可為100%準確且可驗證的，但分散式賬本技術有助於審計程序且由於交易記錄之不變性而通常被認為更值得信賴，因為如前所述，所有資料都儲存在沒有單個實體擁有或控制資料之地方，且沒有人可改變已經記錄之內容。使用分散式賬本技術來驗證農業投入及燃料之帶時間戳、帶地理標記的施用/消耗記錄之能力可大大地增加與彼等記錄相關聯之信賴度。在需要法律裁決之爭議的情況下，此級別之審計能力可用於鑑識會計目的。鑑識會計師分析、解譯且總結複雜的財務及商業事務，且可受僱於保險公司、銀行、警察部隊、政府機構等。鑑識會計師調查且彙編可在法庭上作為證據提供之財務證據。本文中揭示之某些實施例的一個重要目標為促進適合用作鑑識證據之審計資料的建立及捕捉。Transaction data stored in a central database that does not use distributed ledger technology can be as accurate as data stored in a distributed ledger, and embodiments disclosed herein can use distributed ledger technology and/or a central database to store material. While both types of systems can be 100% accurate and verifiable, distributed ledger technology facilitates audit procedures and is generally considered more trustworthy due to the immutability of transaction records because, as mentioned earlier, all data is Stored where no single entity owns or controls the data, and no one can alter what has been recorded. The ability to use distributed ledger technology to verify time-stamped, geo-tagged application/consumption records of agricultural inputs and fuels can greatly increase the degree of trust associated with those records. This level of audit capability can be used for forensic accounting purposes in the event of a dispute requiring legal adjudication. Forensic accountants analyze, interpret and summarize complex financial and business matters and are employed by insurance companies, banks, police forces, government agencies and more. Forensic accountants investigate and compile financial evidence that can be presented as evidence in court. An important goal of certain embodiments disclosed herein is to facilitate the creation and capture of audit data suitable for use as forensic evidence.

一旦本發明之實施例已被用於將資料儲存在可驗證記錄(諸如分散式賬本)中，此記錄即可用於例如基於彼記錄中之資料對一方或多方施加懲罰(例如，稅金或其他罰款)。舉例而言，若可驗證記錄指示一方已採取違反及/或未能遵守要求(諸如由例如私人實體或政府立法機構或監管機構制定之法律、法規及/或生產協定)之一或多個行動，則本發明之實施例可判定應對該方施加之懲罰，且可基於記錄中之資料及/或要求來選擇懲罰。作為一特定實例，若買方拒絕為來自未遵循協定之領域的產品支付溢價，則本發明之實施例可判定不應為彼領域發布補貼及/或應向買方徵收稅金或罰款。替代地，記錄可用於向其記錄展示符合與獲得此類激勵相關聯之需求的實體提供激勵或獎勵，例如，碳信用。Once embodiments of the present invention have been used to store data in a verifiable record (such as a distributed ledger), this record can be used, for example, to impose penalties (e.g., taxes or other fines) on one or more parties based on the data in that record. ). For example, if verifiable records indicate that a party has taken one or more actions that violate and/or fail to comply with requirements such as laws, regulations and/or production agreements made by, for example, private entities or government legislative or regulatory bodies , then embodiments of the present invention may determine the penalty that should be imposed on the party, and may select the penalty based on the data and/or requirements in the record. As a specific example, if a buyer refuses to pay a premium for products from a field that does not follow the agreement, embodiments of the invention may determine that no subsidy should be issued for that field and/or that taxes or penalties should be imposed on the buyer. Alternatively, records may be used to provide incentives or rewards, such as carbon credits, to entities whose records demonstrate compliance with requirements associated with obtaining such incentives.

作為另一實例，本發明之實施例可使用可驗證記錄來建立需要追蹤之收穫產品的出處，在收穫產品之後保留其身份。舉例而言，大多數種子係使用某種身份保存方式生產的。沒有此種身份保存，將種子作為獨特的變種或雜交種出售係不切實際的。當自種子生產地收穫種子時，該種子係與所有其他產品分開收穫，且用於自生產地收穫種子之設備在收穫前經過徹底清潔，以確保該設備不被種子之其他變種或其他產品污染。在收穫種子後，將種子與所有其他種子分開運輸、儲存及清潔，以便保持種子之完整性。然而，主要歸因於人為錯誤，此程序並不總是完美地保存種子之身份。因此，在市場上銷售的僅含有種子之變種A的一袋種子亦可含有一定量的種子之變種B。本發明之實施例可用於追蹤自收穫時間至種子之所有後續處理、直至且包括將種子銷售給最終客戶的種子之每一變種。所得的種子自收穫至最終銷售之可驗證記錄可用於確認種子之身份在整個程序中得到保存。As another example, embodiments of the present invention may use verifiable records to establish the provenance of harvested products that need to be traced, preserving their identity after harvesting. For example, most seed lines are produced using some form of identity preservation. Without such identity preservation, it is impractical to sell seeds as unique varieties or hybrids. When the seed is harvested from the place of production, the seed is harvested separately from all other products and the equipment used to harvest the seed from the place of production is thoroughly cleaned before harvesting to ensure that the equipment is not contaminated with other varieties of the seed or other products . After harvesting seeds, transport, store and clean them separately from all other seeds in order to preserve the integrity of the seeds. However, mainly due to human error, this program does not always perfectly preserve the identity of the torrent. Thus, a bag of seeds sold on the market containing only seed variety A may also contain a certain amount of seed variety B. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to track every variety of the seed from the time of harvest to all subsequent processing of the seed, up to and including sale of the seed to the final customer. Verifiable records of the resulting seeds from harvest to final sale can be used to confirm that the identity of the seeds is preserved throughout the process.

本發明之實施例亦可用於追蹤及識別食物產品已經暴露於其中的農產品。舉例而言，若特定食物產品在田間暴露於特定農產品(例如，殺蟲劑或肥料)，則關於彼農產品之資訊可儲存在與該特定食物產品相關聯之容器資料模組中的一或多個容器資料記錄中。舉例而言，此種容器資料模組可貼附至食物產品本身(諸如藉由使用貼紙)或含有食物產品之容器。在容器資料模組與食物產品本身相關聯(例如，貼附至食物產品本身)的情況下，容器資料模組可不與「容器」相關聯，如本文所使用的術語。儲存在此種容器上之容器資料記錄可含有多種資訊中之任一者，諸如識別食物產品、施用之農產品及農產品施用至食物產品之日期、時間及位置的資訊。稍後，可自容器資料模組上之容器資料記錄讀取資料，以識別施用至食物產品之農產品。舉例而言，消費者可在食物產品之銷售點或之前讀取此類資料，以便識別施用至食物產品之農產品。Embodiments of the invention may also be used to track and identify produce to which a food product has been exposed. For example, if a particular food product is exposed to a particular agricultural product (e.g., pesticides or fertilizers) in the field, information about that agricultural product may be stored in one or more of the container data modules associated with the particular food product. container data records. For example, such a container data module could be attached to the food product itself (such as by using a sticker) or to the container containing the food product. Where a container data module is associated with (eg, affixed to) the food product itself, the container data module may not be associated with a "container," as that term is used herein. Container data records stored on such containers may contain any of a variety of information, such as information identifying the food product, the produce applied, and the date, time, and location of the produce applied to the food product. Later, data can be read from the container data record on the container data module to identify the produce that was applied to the food product. For example, consumers may read such information at or before the point of sale of a food product in order to identify the produce applied to the food product.

本發明之實施例亦可用於產生特定容器之內容物自容器最初充滿內容物的時間開始、經過容器之多次移動中之每一者(包括例如複數個位置及容器位於彼等位置時之相應時間的記錄)、至且包括容器之內容物被消耗的一時間及/或多個時間和一位置及/或多個位置已經行進的路徑之可驗證記錄。Embodiments of the present invention may also be used to generate the contents of a particular container from the time the container was initially filled with contents through each of multiple movements of the container (including, for example, a plurality of positions and the corresponding time the container was in those positions). record of time), a verifiable record of the time and/or times and the path that a location and/or locations have traveled up to and including the time and/or times the contents of the container were consumed.

本發明之實施例亦可用於產生產品隨時間自一個容器轉移至另一容器之可驗證記錄(此可為除了隨時間追蹤彼等容器之位置以外的)。舉例而言，藉由本發明之實施例可追蹤之產品之一個實例為氮肥。氮肥在製造後放入之初始容器通常為大罐子，或甚至為僅由倉庫內之箱櫃或分隔牆隔開的散裝倉庫。氮肥通常按噸銷售，因此常用軌道車或海運貨櫃來運輸。本發明之實施例可用於標記及追蹤來自此種散裝容器之肥料及其他產品的填充及分配，諸如用於建立可驗證監管鏈及施用記錄以用於碳信用確證之目的。Embodiments of the present invention may also be used to generate verifiable records of the transfer of product from one container to another over time (this may be in addition to tracking the location of those containers over time). For example, one example of a product that can be traced by embodiments of the present invention is nitrogen fertilizer. The initial containers into which nitrogen fertilizers are manufactured are usually large tanks, or even bulk warehouses separated only by bins or dividing walls within the warehouse. Nitrogen fertilizers are usually sold by the ton, so they are often transported by rail car or sea container. Embodiments of the invention can be used to tag and track the filling and dispensing of fertilizers and other products from such bulk containers, such as for establishing verifiable chain of custody and application records for the purpose of carbon credit assurance.

僅為了幫助理解本發明之某些實施例且不限製本文中的申請專利範圍之範疇，提供劃線術語之以下定義。The following definitions of the underlined terms are provided merely to aid in the understanding of certain embodiments of the present invention and not to limit the scope of the claims herein.

量：材料之量可為以下各項中之任何一或多者的單位數量、重量、質量或體積：在乾材料(例如，用於施用至土壤或植物的顆粒、粒狀或粉末狀產品、肥料、種子等)的情況下，乾材料之量可為例如乾材料本身之量，諸如乾材料之質量或體積。在材料已經被稀釋從而產生材料與稀釋劑液體之混合物的情況下，混合物之量可為：(1)與液體混合的材料之量；或(2)混合物之量。在已經噴灑至顆粒上之材料(例如，粘土、肥料或其他乾材料)的情況下，材料之量可為噴灑至顆粒上的材料之量(例如，質量或體積)，而非材料噴灑至的顆粒之量(例如，質量或體積)，或該量可包括乾材料之量(例如，質量或體積)及噴灑至乾材料上的液體材料之量(例如，質量或體積)兩者。材料之記錄重量包括乾材料之重量及噴灑至乾材料上的液體之重量兩者的情況下的產品之實例為力10G，其中50磅乾材料包括將七氟菊酯殺蟲劑之液體調配物浸漬至顆粒上的粘土顆粒之重量，其中記錄重量之10%將由噴灑至且浸漬到干粘土顆粒中之七氟菊酯活性成分來表示。 Quantity: Quantity of material may be unit quantity, weight, mass or volume of any one or more of the following: in dry material (e.g. granular, granular or powdered product for application to soil or plants, In the case of fertilizers, seeds, etc.), the amount of dry material may be, for example, the amount of dry material itself, such as the mass or volume of dry material . Where the material has been diluted to produce a mixture of the material and the diluent liquid, the amount of the mixture may be: (1) the amount of the material mixed with the liquid; or (2) the amount of the mixture. In the case of material (e.g., clay, fertilizer, or other dry material) that has been sprayed onto the granules, the amount of material may be the amount (e.g., mass or volume) of material sprayed onto the granules rather than the amount of material sprayed onto the granules. The amount (eg, mass or volume) of the particles, or the amount can include both the amount (eg, mass or volume) of the dry material and the amount (eg, mass or volume) of the liquid material sprayed onto the dry material . An example of a product where the recorded weight of the material includes both the weight of the dry material and the weight of the liquid sprayed onto the dry material is 10G where 50 lbs of dry material includes a liquid formulation of tefluthrin insecticide The weight of the clay granules impregnated onto the granules, where 10% of the recorded weight will be represented by the tefluthrin active ingredient sprayed onto and impregnated into the dry clay granules.

施用：當產品諸如藉由使用噴霧器或其他施用設備自 容器分配且加至田地或其他區域中之土壤或植物上時，產品係自 容器施用。因此，施用為分配之一實例。 Application: A product is applied from a container when it is dispensed from a container and applied to soil or plants in a field or other area , such as by using a sprayer or other application equipment. Thus, application is an instance of allocation .

區域：大小大於一組經度及緯度坐標之地理位置。舉例而言，區域可包括複數個 坐標。區域為位置之一實例。 Area: A geographic location whose size is greater than a set of longitude and latitude coordinates . For example, a region may include a plurality of coordinates. A region is an instance of a location .

中央資料庫：具有集中管理者之 外部資料庫。 中央資料庫可定位、儲存且保持在單個位置。舉例而言， 中央資料庫可由單個電腦來維護。作為另一實例， 中央資料庫可儲存在單個電腦可讀儲存裝置上。舉例而言， 中央資料庫可將其資料儲存在單個資料庫檔案中。舉例而言， 中央資料庫可使其資料只能經由直接纜線連接或經由區域網路來存取。儘管 中央資料庫可跨多於一個的電腦及/或儲存裝置分散，但 中央資料庫並非 分散式賬本，並且 分散式賬本並非 中央資料庫，如彼等術語在本文中所使用，但 中央資料庫及 分散式賬本均為 外部資料庫之實例，如彼等術語在本文中所使用。 Central repository: An external repository with a centralized manager. A central database can be located, stored and maintained in a single location. For example, a central database can be maintained by a single computer. As another example, the central database may be stored on a single computer-readable storage device. For example, a central database can store its data in a single database file. For example, a central database can have its data only accessible via a direct cable connection or via a local area network. Although a central database may be dispersed across more than one computer and/or storage device, a central database is not a distributed ledger , and a distributed ledger is not a central database , as those terms are used herein, but a central database and Distributed Ledger are examples of External Repositories , as those terms are used in this document.

消耗：當產品被自容器取出而不將取出之產品轉移至另一容器時，該產品被消耗。施用產品為消耗產品之一實例。燃燒燃料為 消耗產品而非 施用產品之一實例。自容器溢出或處置產品亦為 消耗產品之實例。來自容器之產品(例如，由人、動物、真菌或細菌)之消耗亦為 消耗產品之一實例。自容器將藥物施用至人或動物(例如，藉由注射或攝取)亦為 消耗產品之一實例。當產品在容器中時或在自 容器分配產品之後銷毀產品亦為 消耗產品之一實例。 Consumption: A product is consumed when it is removed from a container without transferring the removed product to another container . An applied product is an example of a consumed product. Combustion of fuel is an example of a product that is consumed rather than a product that is applied . Spilling or disposing of product from a container is also an example of consumable product . Consumption of products from containers (for example, by humans, animals, fungi or bacteria) is also an example of consumed products . Administration of a drug from a container to a human or animal (e.g., by injection or ingestion) is also an example of a consumable product . Destroying the Product while it is in the container or after dispensing the Product from the container is also an example of consuming the Product .

容器：能夠儲存產品之任何裝置。實例包括封閉式運輸容器、載具(例如，卡車、汽車、船舶或飛機)、拖車、軌道車、種植機上之種子料斗、施用設備上之罐或料斗、罐式拖車、固定或行動之散裝罐、散裝倉庫、裝載設備(例如，前端裝載機上之料斗)、螺鑽管、管或管道或任何類型的較小包裝類型，諸如但不限於桶、迷你散裝、手提袋、1或2.5加侖之壺、瓶、罐或甚至較小大小的容器。其他實例包括用於儲存或容納燃料(呈任何相，例如固體、液體或氣體)的任何類型或大小之貯存器，包括其中存放或限制燃料的燃料箱、燃料管線及/或任何含燃料之器皿或設備。一容器可含有一或多個其他容器。舉例而言，帶標容器可含有一或多個其他 帶標容器。容器之隔室或其他部分可為容器。 Container: Any device capable of storing a product . Examples include closed shipping containers, vehicles (e.g., trucks, cars, ships, or airplanes), trailers, rail cars, seed hoppers on planters, tanks or hoppers on application equipment, tank trailers, fixed or mobile bulk Tanks, bulk storage, loading equipment (e.g., hoppers on front loaders), auger tubes, tubes or pipes, or any type of smaller packaging type such as but not limited to drums, mini bulk, totes, 1 or 2.5 gallons jugs, bottles, cans or even smaller sized containers. Other examples include receptacles of any type or size used to store or contain fuel (in any phase, such as solid, liquid, or gas), including fuel tanks, fuel lines, and/or any fuel-containing vessel in which fuel is stored or contained or device. A container can contain one or more other containers . For example, a labeled container may contain one or more other labeled containers . A compartment or other portion of a container can be a container .

容器資料模組(CDM)：含有與一或多個容器相關聯之一或多個 容器資料記錄且不將彼等 容器資料記錄儲存在 外部資料庫中的實體物件。單個 CDM可含有僅單個相應容器或複數個容器之一或多個 容器資料記錄。舉例而言，容器之 CDM可在容器上、整合至容器中、耦接(例如，貼附)至容器或以其他方式與容器相關聯。 CDM可為電子的(例如， CDM可為或包括靜態或動態RFID 標籤)或非電子的(例如， CDM可為或包括可列印在紙或其他非電子媒體上的條碼或QR碼)。 CDM可為靜態的或動態的。 CDM可包括用於發送及/或接收信號之組件(例如，RFID標籤)，信號諸如表示儲存在 CDM內或打算儲存在 CDM內之資料的信號。 CDM可為或包括任何類型之電子記憶體(諸如非暫時性電腦可讀媒體)，其可儲存本文中揭示的多種資料中之任一者。 CDM可包括一或多個自動識別及資料獲取(AIDC)組件，諸如可經由磁場、光輻射或其他無線傳輸進行更新之「智慧卡」或其他裝置。 Container Data Module (CDM): An entity object that contains one or more container data records associated with one or more containers and does not store those container data records in an external database . A single CDM may contain only a single corresponding container or one or more container data records for multiple containers . For example, a CDM for a container can be on, integrated into, coupled (e.g., affixed to) the container, or otherwise associated with the container . A CDM can be electronic (eg, a CDM can be or include a static or dynamic RFID tag ) or non-electronic (eg, a CDM can be or include a barcode or QR code that can be printed on paper or other non-electronic media). CDMs can be static or dynamic. A CDM may include components (eg, RFID tags) for transmitting and/or receiving signals, such as signals representing data stored or intended to be stored within the CDM . A CDM can be or include any type of electronic memory, such as a non-transitory computer readable medium, that can store any of the various materials disclosed herein. A CDM may include one or more Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) components, such as "smart cards" or other devices that may be updated via magnetic fields, optical radiation, or other wireless transmissions.

容器資料模組(CDM)識別符：唯一地識別特定 容器資料模組 (CDM)之資料。正如此所暗示的，複數個 容器資料模組可各自藉由相應的不同 CDM 識別符來識別。 CDM ID可包含在 容器資料記錄中。正如此所暗示的， CDM ID可儲存在諸如電子或非電子 CDM之 CDM上。 Container Data Module (CDM) Identifier: Uniquely identifies data for a particular Container Data Module (CDM) . As this implies, a plurality of container data modules can each be identified by a corresponding different CDM identifier. The CDM ID can be included in the container data record . As this implies, the CDM ID can be stored on a CDM such as an electronic or non-electronic CDM .

容器資料記錄(CDR)：包括與容器相關聯之資料的資料記錄，該資料記錄可以或可不有關於與容器相關聯之一或多個交易。舉例而言， CDR可以任何組合包括以下各項中之任何一或多者：容器之 容器識別符；與容器相關聯之 CDM的 CDM ID；容器中所含之產品之唯一識別符；表示容器中所含之產品之量的資料；及一或多個 交易資料記錄。除了上述資料之外或替代上述資料， 容器資料記錄可包括自複數個 容器資料記錄導出之聚合資料，諸如在特定位置中或在特定時間段(諸如容器之使用壽命，或自用 消耗之產品填充容器起)期間自容器已消耗的特定產品之總量。來自與特定容器相關聯之複數個 容器資料記錄的資料可用於識別在任何特定時間在彼容器中的特定產品之量。舉例而言，當特定產品首次填充至 容器中時，關於 所填充產品之類型及量的資訊可儲存在與容器相關聯之 容器資料記錄中。當相同類型之產品經填充至 容器中及/或自 容器分配時，可產生且儲存一或多個附加 容器資料記錄以表示此種填充及分配。此類 容器資料記錄可用於識別在任何特定時間儲存在容器中的產品之量。 容器資料記錄可為、可含於或可含有一或多個非同質化代幣(NFT)。 Container Data Record (CDR): A data record that includes data associated with a container , which may or may not be pertaining to one or more transactions associated with the container . For example, a CDR may include any one or more of the following in any combination: the container identifier for the container ; the CDM ID of the CDM associated with the container ; the unique identifier for the product contained in the container ; The quantity data of the product included; and one or more transaction data records . In addition to or instead of the above data, a container data record may include aggregated data derived from a plurality of container data records , such as in a specific location or over a specific time period (such as the useful life of the container , or filling the container with product consumed The total amount of the specified product that has been consumed from the container during the period. Data from the plurality of container data records associated with a particular container can be used to identify the amount of a particular product in that container at any particular time. For example, when a particular Product is first filled into a Container , information about the type and amount of Product filled may be stored in the ContainerDataRecord associated with the Container . When a product of the same type is filled into and/or dispensed from a container , one or more additional container data records may be created and stored to represent such filling and dispensing. Such container data records can be used to identify the amount of product stored in the container at any given time. A container data record may be, may contain, or may contain one or more non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

容器歷史資料：與特定容器相關聯之一或多個 容器資料記錄的集合。舉例而言，特定容器A之 容器歷史資料可包括含有關於由製造商用於填充容器A的第一產品之資料的第一 容器資料記錄，及含有關於由除原始填充者以外之實體用於填充或重新填充容器A的第二產品之資料的第二 容器資料記錄。容器之 容器歷史資料可構成或包括容器之內容物的跨時間及空間之 可驗證記錄。容器之 容器歷史資料可儲存在一或多個 容器資料模組中。一特定實例為容器之 容器歷史資料可儲存在 外部資料庫或 分散式賬本(例如，區塊鏈)中。複數個容器中之每一者可具有其自身相應的 容器歷史資料。 Container History: A collection of one or more Container Profile records associated with a specific Container . For example, container history data for a particular container A may include a first container data record containing information about the first product used by the manufacturer to fill container A, and a first container data record containing information about the first product used by an entity other than the original filler to fill or Secondary container data record for secondary product data that refills container A. Container history data for a container may constitute or include a verifiable record of the contents of the container across time and space. Container history data for a container can be stored in one or more container data modules . A specific example is container history data for containers can be stored in external databases or distributed ledgers (eg, blockchain). Each of the plurality of containers may have its own corresponding container history data .

容器識別符(ID)：唯一地表示特定容器之資料。如此所暗示的，不同容器之容器 ID可彼此不同。容器 ID可含於 容器資料記錄中。 Container Identifier (ID): Information that uniquely identifies a particular container . As this implies, the container IDs of different containers may be different from each other. The container ID may be included in the container data record .

坐標：表示特定點處之位置的資料，諸如可用GPS地理坐標來表示，該資料可包括緯度及經度之水平坐標及與水平坐標對應的垂直坐標兩者，以用於確定高於海平面或地平面之海拔或高度之目的。 Coordinates: Data representing a position at a particular point, such as may be represented by GPS geographic coordinates, which may include both horizontal coordinates of latitude and longitude and vertical coordinates corresponding to the horizontal coordinates, used to determine the location above sea level or ground. The purpose of the altitude or height of the plane.

資料設定檔：儲存在 CDM中之資料可標記為共用或私有的。儲存在 CDM中之共用資料可由任何實體不受限制地讀取。儲存在 CDM中之私有資料可能僅由滿足規定準則之實體來讀取。舉例而言，儲存在 CDM中之私有資料可能僅由 製造商、 所有者、 持有者或 CDM之 使用者來讀取。 Data Profiles: Data stored in CDM can be marked as public or private. Shared data stored in the CDM can be read by any entity without restriction. Private data stored in the CDM may only be read by entities meeting specified criteria. For example, private data stored in a CDM may only be read by the manufacturer , owner , holder or user of the CDM .

分配：自 容器中取出產品，無論是否將產品轉移至另一容器。 未轉移至另一容器的分配產品之實例包括當將產品自 容器分配(即施用)至田地時，及當基於石油之燃料自燃料容器或燃料系統計量至引擎中時。當產品被分配而未轉移至另一容器中時，產品被消耗。 Dispensing: Removal of product from a container , with or without transfer of product to another container . Examples of dispensed products that are not transferred to another container include when dispensing (ie, applying ) a product from a container to a field, and when metering a petroleum-based fuel into an engine from a fuel container or fuel system. Product is consumed when it is dispensed without being transferred to another container .

分散式賬本：跨多個地點、機構或地理區域自願地共用且同步的可供多人存取之資料庫。 分散式賬本允許交易有公開見證。網路之每一節點處的參與者可存取跨網路共用之記錄且可擁有記錄之相同副本。對 分散式賬本所做之任何改變或添加通常會快速地，諸如在幾秒鐘或幾分鐘內，反映且複製給所有參與者。區塊鏈為 分散式賬本之一實例。 分散式賬本並非 中央資料庫，因為在此使用了彼等術語。 Distributed Ledger: A database that is voluntarily shared and synchronized across multiple locations, institutions, or geographic regions and can be accessed by multiple people. Distributed ledgers allow transactions to be publicly witnessed. Participants at each node of the network can access records that are shared across the network and can own identical copies of the records. Any changes or additions to the distributed ledger are typically reflected and replicated to all participants quickly, such as within seconds or minutes. Blockchain is an example of a distributed ledger . A distributed ledger is not a central repository , as those terms are used here.

電子記憶體裝置(EMD)： CDM之一特定實例，其包括任何種類之電子記憶體(諸如一或多個非暫時性電腦可讀媒體)，用於儲存本文中揭示的能夠儲存在 CDM中之多個種類資料中之任一者。 Electronic Memory Device (EMD): A specific example of a CDM that includes any kind of electronic memory (such as one or more non-transitory computer-readable media) for storing the information disclosed herein capable of being stored in a CDM Any of several types of data.

實體：自然人或法律實體(例如，公司)。舉例而言，實體可為產品之製造商、容器之所有者或持有者、產品或容器之 使用者，或負責使用容器或產品之個人或法律實體。實體可為交易中之行動者(例如，導致或執行交易之實體) 。 Entity: A natural person or legal entity (eg, a company). An entity may be, for example, the manufacturer of the product , the owner or holder of the container , the user of the product or container , or the individual or legal entity responsible for the use of the container or product . An entity may be an actor in a transaction (eg, an entity that causes or executes a transaction ) .

實體識別符(ID)：諸如容器之製造商、持有者、所有者或使用者的實體之唯一識別符。諸如「製造商ID」之特定術語為實體 ID之實例。 Entity Identifier (ID): A unique identifier for an entity such as the manufacturer, holder, owner, or user of a container . Specific terms such as "manufacturer ID" are examples of entity IDs .

外部資料庫：將 容器歷史資料儲存在並非 CDM之媒體上的資料儲存。 外部資料庫可為或包括 中央資料庫或 分散式賬本。 外部資料庫之實例為庫存管理系統、運輸管理系統及儲存在施用設備上之資料庫。本文中揭示的用於將資料儲存至分散式賬本或CDM中及/或自 分散式賬本或 CDM讀取資料之任何技術應被理解為另外或替代地適用於將此類資料儲存至外部資料庫中及/或自 外部資料庫讀取此類資料，除非本文另有說明。儲存在 外部資料庫中之資料可能在隨後儲存在 外部資料庫上之前已先前儲存在 CDM上，而先前儲存在 外部資料庫上之資料可能隨後儲存在 CDM上。 External database: A data store that stores container history data on media other than CDM . An external repository can be or include a central repository or a distributed ledger . Examples of external databases are inventory management systems, transportation management systems, and databases stored on application equipment. Any techniques disclosed herein for storing data in and/or reading data from a distributed ledger or CDM shall be understood to be applicable additionally or alternatively to storing such data in external databases and/or read such material from external repositories , unless otherwise stated herein. Data stored on an external database may have been previously stored on the CDM before being subsequently stored on the external database , and data previously stored on the external database may be subsequently stored on the CDM .

填充：將產品放入至容器中。若產品係直接自另一容器接收，則此為將產品自一個 容器轉移至另一容器之一實例。此包括在將來自多種潛在不可追溯產品之材料混合/加工/合併/配製/合成在一起以用於建立將添加(例如，第一次)至經由 容器歷史資料可識別之容器的產品之目的時。 Filling: Put the product into the container . This is an example of transferring product from one container to another if the product is received directly from another container. This includes when materials from multiple potentially non-traceable products are mixed/processed/combined/formulated/synthesized together for the purpose of creating a product that will be added (e.g., for the first time) to a container identifiable via container history data .

地理定位服務：包括用於自動識別諸如容器之位置的位置之手段的任何裝置備及/或軟體。舉例而言， 地理定位服務可使用全球定位系統(GPS)及/或其他基於衛星之技術、網際網路協定(IP)、雷達、聲納、激光雷達、即時動力學(RTK)、空間信號(SIS)及/或影像分析技術來識別位置。作為另一實例， 地理定位服務可將位置識別為實體(例如，容器之 所有者或 持有者)的已知(當前或過去)位置，諸如藉由在 容器資料模組或 外部資料庫(例如， 分散式賬本 )中查找彼位置。 Geolocation Service: Any device and/or software that includes any means for automatically identifying the location of a container, such as a container . For example, geolocation services may use Global Positioning System (GPS) and/or other satellite-based technologies, Internet Protocol (IP), radar, sonar, lidar, real-time kinematics (RTK), signal-in-space ( SIS) and/or image analysis techniques to identify locations . As another example, a geolocation service may identify a location as the known (current or past) location of an entity (e.g., the owner or holder of a container ), such as through the container data module or an external database (e.g. , distributed ledger ) to find that location .

位置：包括坐標及區域之通用術語 Location: Generic terms including coordinates and areas

材料：產品之可能複數個組成組份之一。正如此所暗示，產品可包括一種或複數種材料。 Material: One of the possible multiple components of a product . As this implies, a product may comprise one or more materials .

操作：將 產品填充至容器中或自 容器分配產品之行為 Operation: The act of filling or dispensing a product into a container with a product

所有者：在特定時間為特定容器及/或產品之合法所有者的實體，無論彼實體當時是否為彼容器之 持有者。容器之 所有者可以或可不與容器中所含之產品之 所有者相同。容器在特定時間之 所有者可以或可不為與彼容器在彼特定時間之 持有者相同的實體。 Owner: The entity that is the legal owner of a particular container and/or product at a particular time, whether or not that entity is the holder of that container at that time. The owner of the container may or may not be the same as the owner of the product contained in the container . The owner of a container at a particular time may or may not be the same entity as the holder of that container at that particular time.

持有者：在特定時間持有特定容器之實體，無論彼實體當時是否為彼容器及/或彼容器中之產品的 所有者。 Holder: The entity that holds a particular container at a particular time, whether or not that entity is the owner of that container and/or the product in that container at that time.

產品：可含於容器中之材料，或當容器內含有多種材料時產生之混合物。產品可為多種 產品類型中之任一者。 Product: A material that may be contained in a container , or a mixture that results when a container contains multiple materials . A product can be any of a variety of product types .

產品量資料：表示 產品量之資料，諸如： 僅含有一種類型之產品 的特定容器 內所含的產品量；特定容器內所含之特定差異化 產品之量，該容器含有多種 類型之產品及/或由於製造批次或批號、製造日期等而彼此有差異的單一類型之產品；在填充操作期間填充至容器中的 產品或多種產品之量；或在分配操作期間自容器分配的產品之量。 容器資料記錄可包括表示儲存在 與容器資料記錄相關聯之 容器中的 產品之量的產品量資料。 Product Quantity Data: Data representing the quantity of a product , such as: the quantity of product contained in a specific container containing only one type of product; the quantity of a specific differentiated product contained in a specific container that contains multiple types of product and/or or a single type of product that differs from one another by batch or lot number, date of manufacture, etc.; the quantity of product or products filled into a container during a filling operation; or the quantity of product dispensed from a container during a dispensing operation . The container profile record may include product quantity data representing the quantity of product stored in the container associated with the container profile record .

產品施用設備：能夠自容器中施用產品之 設備。 Product Application Equipment: Equipment capable of applying product from a container.

產品消耗設備：能夠消耗產品(即， 分配產品而不施用產品)之設備。 Product Consuming Equipment: Equipment capable of consuming product (ie, dispensing product rather than applying product).

產品類型：識別特定材料所屬之類別的資料。舉例而言， 產品類型可包括識別產品之製造商的實體 ID及產品名稱。產品類型之實例包括：土壤施用的投入物及/或植物施用的投入物，諸如肥料/植物營養產品(例如，氮肥)、殺蟲劑、土壤健康添加劑、植物健康添加劑、固氮微生物；土壤施用的投入物，諸如種子；未精煉及/或精煉的石油產品，諸如油、汽油、煤油、噴氣燃料、柴油及/或一或多種石油燃料與乙醇及/或其他可燃燃料或添加劑之混合物；及食物/飲料產品。此等僅為產品類型之實例；本發明之實施例不限於與任何特定產品類型一起使用。 產品類型可規定諸如非常高級別之任何一般性級別的產品類型(例如，「肥料」或「殺蟲劑」)。除了或替代此類高級別 產品類型， 產品類型可以任何組合包括諸如以下各項中之任何一或多者的資訊：製造商、品牌名稱、變種、批次號、批號、化學組成、配方、保質期及體密度等。 Product Type: Information identifying the category to which a particular material falls. For example, a product type may include an entity ID and a product name identifying the manufacturer of the product . Examples of product types include: soil-applied inputs and/or plant-applied inputs, such as fertilizers/plant nutrient products (e.g., nitrogen fertilizers), pesticides, soil health additives, plant health additives, nitrogen-fixing microorganisms; soil-applied Inputs such as seeds; unrefined and/or refined petroleum products such as oil, gasoline, kerosene, jet fuel, diesel and/or mixtures of one or more petroleum fuels with ethanol and/or other combustible fuels or additives; and food / beverage products. These are examples of product types only; embodiments of the invention are not limited to use with any particular product type. A product type may specify any generic class of product type such as very high class (eg, "fertilizer" or "pesticide"). In addition to or in lieu of such high-level product types , product types may include information in any combination such as any one or more of: manufacturer, brand name, variant, batch number, batch number, chemical composition, formula, shelf life and body density etc.

出處：事物的起源地或已知最早歷史，及/或鑑別物體之歷史的記錄或文件。 外部資料庫及/或 CDM中之資料(諸如 容器歷史資料)可用於確定儲存在相應容器中之產品的出處。產品之出處之一實例為產品例如由產品及/或容器之製造商首次填充至容器中時所在的位置。產品之出處之另一實例為當產品首次填充至容器中時的產品之 所有者，或彼時的容器之 所有者。來自 CDM及/或 外部資料庫之任何組合的 容器資料記錄( CDR)可用於鑑別各個容器之歷史及/或各個容器:產品組合之歷史。 Provenance: The place of origin or earliest known history of something, and/or a record or document identifying the history of an object. Data in external databases and/or in the CDM , such as container history data , can be used to determine the provenance of products stored in corresponding containers . An example of the provenance of the product is where the product was first filled into the container , eg, by the manufacturer of the product and/or the container . Another example of the provenance of the product is the owner of the product when the product was first filled into the container , or the owner of the container at that time. Container Data Records ( CDRs ) from any combination of CDM and/or external databases can be used to identify the history of individual containers and/or the history of individual container:product combinations.

RFID標籤：包括RFID發射器/接收器模組之一種 CDM。 RFID 標籤可儲存靜態及/或動態資料。 RFID tag: A CDM that includes one of the RFID transmitter/receiver modules. RFID tags can store static and/or dynamic data.

標籤： 容器資料模組( CDM)之同義詞。標籤可為，但未必為， RFID 標籤。 Label: Synonym for Container Data Module ( CDM ). The tags can be, but need not be, RFID tags .

帶標容器：具有相關聯 CDM之容器，無論彼 CDM是否為或包括 EMD。舉例而言， 帶標容器之 CDM可整合至帶標容器、貼附至帶標容器、耦接至帶標容器、包含在帶標容器中及/或與 帶標容器電子通信。 帶標容器可具有一或多個相關聯 CDM。 Labeled Container: A container with an associated CDM , whether or not that CDM is or includes an EMD . For example, a CDM for a labeled container can be integrated into the labeled container, affixed to the labeled container, coupled to the labeled container, contained within the labeled container, and/or in electronic communication with the labeled container . A tagged container can have one or more associated CDMs .

交易：涉及特定容器之可記錄事件。關於涉及特定容器之交易的資料可基於儲存在 容器資料模組中之資料而記錄在：(1)與特定容器相關聯之 容器資料模組或(2)除 容器資料模組以外的資料儲存中。交易之實例包括：將容器移動至新位置；轉移容器之持有權、所有權或使用；用產品填充容器；自 容器分配產品；及容器滿足條件(諸如達成容器中之產品的至少某一量或百分比的分配或經過某一特定時間量)。 Transaction: A recordable event involving a specific container . Data about transactions involving a particular container may be recorded based on data stored in a container data module : (1) in a container data module associated with a particular container or (2) in a data store other than a container data module . Examples of transactions include: moving a container to a new location ; transferring possession, title, or use of a container ; filling a container with product ; dispensing product from a container; percentage or over a specified amount of time).

交易資料記錄：表示交易之資料。表示特定交易之 交易資料記錄可以任何組合包括以下各項中之任何一或多者： 產品類型； 產品量；產品之製造商的實體 ID；操作時的容器之所有者的實體 ID；操作時的容器之持有者的實體 ID；用於執行操作之 施用設備之使用者的實體 ID；作為操作之一部分的填充或 分配產品之速率；操作之日期及/或時間；或操作之位置。 Transaction data record: Indicates the transaction data. A transaction data record representing a particular transaction may include any one or more of the following in any combination: type of product ; quantity of product ; entity ID of the manufacturer of the product ; entity ID of the owner of the container at the time of operation ; The entity ID of the holder of the container ; the entity ID of the user of the applicator used to perform the operation; the rate at which product was filled or dispensed as part of the operation ; the date and/or time of the operation ; or the location of the operation.

轉移：自一個容器取出產品且將彼產品儲存在另一容器中。轉移可以但不必以防篡改或篡改易顯的方式執行。 Transfer: Removing a product from one container and storing that product in another container . Transfers can, but need not, be performed in a tamper-resistant or tamper-evident manner.

使用者：對容器及/或產品執行交易之實體，諸如用 產品填充容器或自 容器分配產品。容器之 使用者可以但不必為容器之 所有者。 User: An entity that performs a transaction on a container and/or a product , such as filling a container with a product or dispensing a product from a container . The user of the container may but need not be the owner of the container.

可驗證記錄：真實性可驗證之 容器歷史資料的儲存。舉例而言，若 容器歷史資料指示產品係在特定時間及 位置分配，則本文中揭示之技術可用於驗證產品係在彼特定時間及 位置分配的。 分散式賬本(例如，區塊鏈)為 可驗證記錄之一實例。 Verifiable records: the storage of container history data whose authenticity can be verified. For example, if the container history data indicates that the product was dispensed at a specific time and location , the techniques disclosed herein can be used to verify that product was dispensed at that specific time and location . A distributed ledger (eg, blockchain) is an example of a verifiable record .

本文中的提及EMD之某些描述同樣適用於非電子之CDM。類似地，本文中對「帶標容器」之任何引用應理解為指具有任何類型之相關聯CDM的容器，無論彼CDM是否包括RFID標籤。本文中對儲存在容器中、容器上或以其他方式與容器相關聯之資料的任何引用應理解為揭示將此類資訊儲存在與彼容器相關聯之一或多個CDM中。Certain descriptions herein that refer to EMD also apply to non-electronic CDM. Similarly, any reference herein to a "labeled container" should be understood to refer to a container having an associated CDM of any type, whether or not that CDM includes an RFID tag. Any reference herein to data stored in, on, or otherwise associated with a container should be understood to disclose that such information is stored in one or more CDMs associated with that container.

如本文所揭示，本發明之一些實施例可將一或多個CDR儲存在作為分散式賬本的外部資料庫中。在執行此儲存之後的任何時間，此等實施例可將CDR之一些或所有儲存在並非分散式賬本的外部資料庫中(諸如藉由將來自並非分散式賬本的外部資料庫的CDR之內容複製至作為分散式賬本的外部資料庫中之一或多個CDR中)。As disclosed herein, some embodiments of the invention may store one or more CDRs in an external repository as a distributed ledger. At any time after this storage is performed, these embodiments may store some or all of the CDRs in an external database other than the distributed ledger (such as by copying the contents of the CDRs from the external database other than the distributed ledger to one or more CDRs in an external repository as a distributed ledger).

類似地，如本文所揭示，本發明之一些實施例可將一或多個CDR儲存在並非分散式賬本的外部資料庫中。在執行此儲存之後的任何時間，此等實施例可將CDR之一些或所有儲存在作為分散式賬本的外部資料庫中(諸如藉由將來自作為分散式賬本的外部資料庫之CDR之內容複製至並非分散式賬本的外部資料庫中之一或多個CDR中)。Similarly, as disclosed herein, some embodiments of the invention may store one or more CDRs in an external repository that is not a distributed ledger. At any time after this storage is performed, these embodiments may store some or all of the CDRs in the external database as a distributed ledger (such as by copying the contents of the CDRs from the external database as a distributed ledger to one or more CDRs in external repositories that are not distributed ledgers).

參考圖1，展示出用於實施本發明之一個實施例的系統100之圖。參考圖2，展示出根據本發明之一個實施例的由圖1之系統100執行的方法200之流程圖。儘管圖1中未示出，但系統100可包括至少一個電腦處理器，該至少一個電腦處理器執行儲存在至少一個第一非暫時性電腦可讀媒體上之電腦程式指令以執行圖2之方法200。Referring to FIG. 1 , a diagram of a system 100 for implementing one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Referring to FIG. 2 , there is shown a flowchart of a method 200 performed by the system 100 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Although not shown in FIG. 1 , system 100 may include at least one computer processor executing computer program instructions stored on at least one first non-transitory computer-readable medium to perform the method of FIG. 2 200.

系統100包括第一容器102。第一容器102包括第一產品104。第一容器102可能已變得以多種方式中之任一者包括第一產品104。舉例而言，系統100可包括第二容器152 (在本文中亦被稱為「源容器」)，該第二容器可包括第二產品154 (在本文中亦被稱為「源產品」)。系統100亦可包括填充模組130，諸如藉由將第二產品154之一些或全部自第二容器152轉移至第一容器102，該填充模組可用第一產品104填充第一容器102 (圖2，操作202)，如此描述所暗示，第一產品104及第二產品154可為相同的產品類型。在將第二產品154自第二容器152轉移至第一容器102中之前，第一容器102可能已清空，或可能不另外含有任何第一產品104。結果，自第二容器152轉移至第一容器102的第二產品154之量可等於(精確地或在某一容限內)在由填充模組130執行之填充(例如，轉移)操作後的第一容器102中之第一產品104的量。System 100 includes a first container 102 . The first container 102 includes a first product 104 . The first container 102 may have come to include the first product 104 in any of a number of ways. For example, system 100 may include a second container 152 (also referred to herein as a "source container") that may include a second product 154 (also referred to herein as a "source product"). The system 100 can also include a filling module 130, which can fill the first container 102 with the first product 104, such as by transferring some or all of the second product 154 from the second container 152 to the first container 102 (FIG. 2, operation 202), as implied by this description, the first product 104 and the second product 154 may be of the same product type. Prior to transferring the second product 154 from the second container 152 into the first container 102 , the first container 102 may have been emptied, or may not otherwise contain any first product 104 . As a result, the amount of second product 154 transferred from second container 152 to first container 102 may be equal to (exactly or within a certain tolerance) the amount after the filling (e.g., transferring) operation performed by filling module 130 The amount of the first product 104 in the first container 102 .

系統100可包括第一儲存模組106及外部資料庫108 (其可為例如中央資料庫或分散式賬本)。回應於用第一產品104填充第一容器102或在此之後，第一儲存模組106可在外部資料庫108中之至少一個容器資料記錄110中儲存表示由填充模組130執行的將第一產品104填充至第一容器102中之填充操作的資料(圖2，操作204)。容器資料記錄110之集合為「容器歷史資料」之實例，如本文中使用該術語。The system 100 may include a first storage module 106 and an external database 108 (which may be, for example, a central database or a distributed ledger). In response to or after filling the first container 102 with the first product 104, the first storage module 106 may store in at least one container data record 110 in the external database 108 representing the filling of the first container 102 performed by the filling module 130. The data of the filling operation of filling the product 104 into the first container 102 (FIG. 2, operation 204). The collection of container data records 110 is an example of "container history data," as that term is used herein.

舉例而言，第一儲存模組106可在外部資料庫108中之容器資料記錄110中儲存呈任何組合的以下各項中之任何一或多者： ● 與填充操作及/或第一產品104相關的一或多個日期及/或時間(例如，時間戳)，諸如發生填充操作之日期及/或時間及/或製造第一產品104之日期及時間； ● 例如在填充操作時的第一容器102之位置； ● 第一容器102之唯一身份； ● 第一產品104之產品類型； ● 填充模組130在填充操作中填充至第一容器102中之第一產品104的量； ● 作為填充操作之結果的第一容器102中之第一產品104的量(若第一容器102在第一填充操作之前含有與第一產品104相同類型的產品，則該量可大於在填充操作中填充至第一容器中之第一產品104的量)； ● 例如在填充操作時的第一容器102之所有者之所有者ID； ● 例如在填充操作時的第一容器102之持有者之持有者ID； ● 第一產品104之製造商之製造商ID；及 ● 例如在填充操作時的第一容器102之使用者之使用者ID。 For example, first storage module 106 may store in container data record 110 in external database 108 any one or more of the following in any combination: ● One or more dates and/or times (e.g., timestamps) associated with the filling operation and/or the first product 104, such as the date and/or time the filling operation occurred and/or the date the first product 104 was manufactured and time; ● For example the position of the first container 102 during the filling operation; ● The unique identity of the first container 102; ● The product type of the first product 104; ● the amount of the first product 104 that the filling module 130 fills into the first container 102 during the filling operation; ● The amount of the first product 104 in the first container 102 as a result of the filling operation (if the first container 102 contained the same type of product as the first product 104 before the first filling operation, the amount may be greater the amount of the first product 104 filled into the first container); ● For example the owner ID of the owner of the first container 102 at the time of filling operation; ● For example the holder ID of the holder of the first container 102 at the time of filling operation; ● Manufacturer ID of the manufacturer of the first product 104; and ● For example the user ID of the user of the first container 102 at the time of the filling operation.

系統100可包括第二儲存模組116及容器資料模組118。儘管容器資料模組118展示為與圖1中之第一容器102不同，但容器資料模組118可整合至、貼附至、附接至、耦接至第一容器102或以其他方式在第一容器102上。The system 100 can include a second storage module 116 and a container data module 118 . Although container data module 118 is shown as distinct from first container 102 in FIG. A container 102 is on.

除了或替代第一儲存模組106將容器資料記錄110儲存在外部資料庫108中(圖2，操作204)，第二儲存模組116可例如在容器資料模組118中之一或多個容器資料記錄120中儲存：(1)以上結合操作204揭示之多種類型資料中之任何一或多者，及/或(2) CDM 118之CDM ID (圖2，操作206)。若執行操作204及206兩者，則此等操作可以但不必將相同的資料儲存在外部資料庫108及容器資料模組118中。舉例而言，第一儲存模組106可在外部資料庫108中儲存第二儲存模組116沒有儲存在容器資料模組118中之一些資料(例如，使用者ID)。相反地，第二儲存模組116可儲存第一儲存模組106沒有儲存在外部資料庫108中之一些資料(例如，製造商ID)。此等僅為實例，並不構成對本發明之限制，且僅提供以說明第一儲存模組106及第二儲存模組116可以或可不儲存彼此相同的資料。In addition to, or instead of, first storage module 106 storing container data records 110 in external database 108 (FIG. 2, operation 204), second storage module 116 may, for example, store one or more containers in container data module 118 Data record 120 stores: (1) any one or more of the various types of data disclosed above in connection with operation 204, and/or (2) the CDM ID of CDM 118 (FIG. 2, operation 206). If both operations 204 and 206 are performed, these operations may, but need not, store the same data in external database 108 and container data module 118 . For example, the first storage module 106 may store some data (eg, user ID) in the external database 108 that the second storage module 116 does not store in the container data module 118 . On the contrary, the second storage module 116 can store some information (eg, manufacturer ID) that is not stored in the external database 108 by the first storage module 106 . These are examples only, do not constitute limitations of the present invention, and are provided only to illustrate that the first storage module 106 and the second storage module 116 may or may not store the same data as each other.

舉例而言，填充操作202可在第一容器102之原點處執行，例如，在第一容器102已製造且由第一產品104之製造商及/或第一容器102之製造商第一次用產品(例如，第一產品104)填充之後，或在第一容器102已清空及清潔且隨後用產品(例如，第一產品104)填充之後。舉例而言，第一產品104可為液體或乾燥產品。系統100及方法200可量測已填充至第一容器102中之第一產品104的量且將所量測之量儲存在外部資料庫108及/或容器資料模組118中之容器資料記錄120中。舉例而言，儲存之所量測之量可表示為體積、重量、容量或其他量測單位。此所量測之量為與第一容器102之原產地證書相關的特性之一，該等特性可捕獲且儲存在容器資料模組118中。如本文別處所更詳細描述，當自第一容器102分配第一產品104之一些或全部時，第一容器102中剩餘之第一產品104的量可儲存在外部資料庫108及/或容器資料模組118中。For example, the filling operation 202 may be performed at the origin of the first container 102, e.g., after the first container 102 has been manufactured and for the first time by the manufacturer of the first product 104 and/or After filling with product (eg, first product 104 ), or after first container 102 has been emptied and cleaned and then filled with product (eg, first product 104 ). For example, the first product 104 may be a liquid or a dry product. The system 100 and method 200 can measure the amount of the first product 104 that has been filled into the first container 102 and store the measured amount in the external database 108 and/or the container data record 120 in the container data module 118 middle. For example, a measured quantity stored may be expressed as volume, weight, capacity, or other unit of measurement. This measured quantity is one of the characteristics associated with the certificate of origin of the first container 102 that can be captured and stored in the container data module 118 . As described in more detail elsewhere herein, when some or all of the first product 104 is dispensed from the first container 102, the amount of first product 104 remaining in the first container 102 may be stored in the external database 108 and/or container data Module 118.

填充至容器中及/或自容器中分配之產品的量可以多種方式中之任一者來量測。舉例而言，若分配產品之機構(諸如在將產品自一個容器轉移至另一容器之過程中)使用螺鑽計量器，則系統100可根據螺鑽旋轉的次數及/或計量器操作的次數及持續時間來計算由計量器分配之產品的量。舉例而言，系統100可對分配計之轉數、衝程、開口、脈衝、流速及/或循環時間進行計數，且計算在每一量測循環或操作單位自分配容器分配之產品的量。The amount of product filled into and/or dispensed from a container can be measured in any of a variety of ways. For example, if the mechanism for dispensing the product (such as in the process of transferring product from one container to another) uses an auger meter, the system 100 can be based on the number of times the auger is rotated and/or the number of times the meter is operated and duration to calculate the amount of product dispensed by the meter. For example, the system 100 can count the number of revolutions, strokes, openings, pulses, flow rate and/or cycle time of the dispensing meter and calculate the amount of product dispensed from the dispensing container per measuring cycle or unit of operation.

舉例而言，在操作206中儲存在CDR 118中之資料可包括諸如第一容器102之容器ID及/或CDM 118之CDM ID的資料(在本文中稱為「查找資料」)，該資料可由外部資料庫108或其他外部電腦系統(圖1中未示出)使用以識別與第一容器102及/或第一產品104相關聯之資料，諸如在操作204中儲存在外部資料庫108之CDR 110中的資料之一些或全部。可包括外部資料庫108之彼外部電腦系統可使用儲存在CDR 120中之資料來查找與第一容器102及/或第一產品104相關聯的此資料。作為一特定實例，CDM 118之CDM ID可在操作206中儲存在CDR 120中。外部電腦系統可自CDM 118讀取CDM 118之CDM ID (或以其他方式接收彼CDM ID)且使用彼CDM在外部資料庫(例如，外部資料庫108)中查找(例如，作為索引、關鍵字或查詢)與第一容器102及/或第一產品104相關聯的資料，諸如與填充操作202相關聯的資料，諸如儲存在外部資料庫108之CDR 110中的資料之一些或全部(例如，第一容器102之容器ID、第一產品104之類型、填充至第一容器102中之第一產品104的量及填充操作202之時間及位置中的任何一或多者)。舉例而言，CDM 118之CDR 120可包括此查找資料且不包括儲存在外部資料庫108之CDR 110中的資料之任一者。以此方式，CDM 118之CDR 120可有效地利用儲存空間，而系統100可改為依靠外部電腦系統之更廣泛儲存空間來儲存填充操作202之細節。For example, the data stored in the CDR 118 in operation 206 may include data such as the container ID of the first container 102 and/or the CDM ID of the CDM 118 (referred to herein as "lookup data"), which may be obtained from The external database 108 or other external computer system (not shown in FIG. 1 ) is used to identify data associated with the first container 102 and/or the first product 104, such as the CDR stored in the external database 108 in operation 204 Some or all of the information in 110. The external computer system, which may include external database 108 , may use the data stored in CDR 120 to look up this data associated with first container 102 and/or first product 104 . As a specific example, the CDM ID for CDM 118 may be stored in CDR 120 at operation 206 . The external computer system can read the CDM ID of the CDM 118 from the CDM 118 (or otherwise receive that CDM ID) and use that CDM to look up (e.g., as an index, key or query) data associated with first container 102 and/or first product 104, such as data associated with filling operation 202, such as some or all of the data stored in CDR 110 of external database 108 (e.g., any one or more of the container ID of the first container 102, the type of the first product 104, the amount of the first product 104 filled into the first container 102, and the time and location of the filling operation 202). For example, CDR 120 of CDM 118 may include such lookup data and not include any of the data stored in CDR 110 of external database 108 . In this way, the CDR 120 of the CDM 118 can use storage space efficiently, and the system 100 can instead rely on the more extensive storage space of the external computer system to store the details of the fill operation 202 .

作為一特定實例，CDM 118可包括可能僅包括查找資料之CDR 120，且可不包括儲存在外部資料庫108之CDR 110中的資料中之任一者。舉例而言，CDM 118可為靜態的且包括印刷碼(諸如條碼或QR碼)，該印刷碼可表示第一容器102之容器ID及/或CDM 118之CDM ID，且可不包括表示第一容器102中所含之產品的任何資料、表示與第一容器102相關聯之實體或與第一容器102相關聯之操作(例如，填充或分配操作)的資料。作為此情況之一特定實例，CDM 118可包括此印刷碼而不包括任何其他東西。As a specific example, CDM 118 may include CDR 120 , which may only include lookup data, and may not include any of the data stored in CDR 110 of external database 108 . For example, the CDM 118 may be static and include a printed code (such as a barcode or QR code) that may represent the container ID of the first container 102 and/or the CDM ID of the CDM 118, and may not include a code representing the first container Any data about the product contained in 102 , data representing an entity associated with the first container 102 or an operation associated with the first container 102 (eg, a filling or dispensing operation). As a specific example of this, the CDM 118 may include this printed code and nothing else.

第一容器102可用篡改易顯方式用第一產品104進行填充(在操作202中)。第一容器102可用篡改易顯及/或防篡改方式用第一產品104進行填充。舉例而言，本文中揭示的用於將資料儲存在外部資料庫108中之技術可提供篡改證據。舉例而言，假設第一容器102係空的，然後用X ₁磅的產品Y進行填充，且在第一容器102之第一持有者持有時使用本文中揭示的技術中之任一者將此填充記錄在外部資料庫108中，然後將第一容器102之持有權轉移至第二持有者，且使用本文中揭示的技術在外部資料庫108上記錄第一容器102含有X ₂磅之產品Y (其中X ₁≠X ₂)。本發明之實施例可判定外部資料庫108是否含有除了剛才描述的記錄之外的任何記錄，從而指示第一容器102已用產品Y填充。若判定外部資料庫108不含有任何此類記錄，則本發明之實施例可得出結論：外部資料庫108上的第一容器102之記錄係第一容器102已被篡改的證據，因為彼等記錄未能解釋第一容器102中之第一產品104的量。 The first container 102 may be filled (in operation 202 ) with the first product 104 in a tamper-evident manner. The first container 102 may be filled with the first product 104 in a tamper-evident and/or tamper-resistant manner. For example, techniques disclosed herein for storing data in external database 108 can provide tamper evidence. For example, assume that the first container 102 is empty, then filled with X ₁ lb of product Y, and uses any of the techniques disclosed herein while in the possession of the first holder of the first container 102 This filling is recorded in the external database 108, possession of the first container 102 is then transferred to the second holder, and the first container 102 is recorded on the external database 108 as containing X ₂ Product Y in pounds (where X ₁ ≠X ₂ ). Embodiments of the present invention may determine whether the external database 108 contains any records other than those just described, thereby indicating that the first container 102 has been filled with product Y. If it is determined that the external database 108 does not contain any such records, embodiments of the present invention may conclude that the records for the first container 102 on the external database 108 are evidence that the first container 102 has been tampered with because they The record fails to account for the amount of first product 104 in first container 102 .

舉例而言，外部資料庫108可為分散式賬本，諸如區塊鏈。CDR 110 (及本文中揭示為儲存在外部資料庫108中的任何其他CDR)可包括區塊鏈中之一或多個區塊。For example, the external repository 108 may be a distributed ledger, such as a blockchain. CDR 110 (and any other CDR disclosed herein as being stored in external repository 108) may comprise one or more blocks in the blockchain.

如容器資料模組之定義所暗示，CDM 118可例如為電子的(例如，含有電子記憶體)或非電子的。舉例而言，CDM 118可包括RFID標籤，且操作206可包括使用RFID標籤來無線地接收由第二儲存模組116儲存在CDM 118中的資料中之任一者。CDM 118可使用任何形式的無線通信。僅作為兩個實例，CDM 118可藉由發送及/或接收超高頻(UHF)信號及/或光波進行通信。作為其他實例，CDM 118可藉由發送及/或接收低頻、中頻或高頻信號進行通信。As implied by the definition of a container data module, CDM 118 may, for example, be electronic (eg, contain electronic memory) or non-electronic. For example, the CDM 118 may include an RFID tag, and operation 206 may include using the RFID tag to wirelessly receive any of the data stored in the CDM 118 by the second storage module 116 . CDM 118 may use any form of wireless communication. CDM 118 may communicate by sending and/or receiving Ultra High Frequency (UHF) signals and/or light waves, as just two examples. As other examples, the CDM 118 may communicate by sending and/or receiving low, medium, or high frequency signals.

操作202、204及206可以但不必按圖2所示之順序執行。僅舉幾個例子： ● 操作202、204及206可按圖2所示之順序執行。在此等實施例中，操作206可回應於用第一產品填充第一容器而執行。 ● 操作206可在操作202之前及/或在操作204之前執行。舉例而言，CDM 118可為非電子(例如，紙質) CDM，且CDR 120可為非電子CDR (例如，印刷之條碼或QR碼)，且操作206可包括在操作202之前及/或在操作204之前在非電子CDM上儲存非電子CDR。 Operations 202, 204, and 206 may, but need not, be performed in the order shown in FIG. 2 . Just to name a few: ● Operations 202, 204 and 206 may be performed in the order shown in FIG. 2 . In such embodiments, operation 206 may be performed in response to filling the first container with the first product. ● Operation 206 may be performed before operation 202 and/or before operation 204. For example, CDM 118 may be a non-electronic (e.g., paper) CDM, and CDR 120 may be a non-electronic CDR (e.g., a printed barcode or QR code), and operation 206 may be included before and/or after operation 202 204 before storing the non-electronic CDR on the non-electronic CDM.

在操作204包括將表示第一容器102之第一持有者的資料儲存在外部資料庫108中之CDR 110中的實施例中，第一儲存模組106亦可在第一容器102變為由第二持有者(其不同於第一持有者)持有之後的某一時間，第一儲存模組106可在外部資料庫108中之至少一個第二記錄中儲存表示第一容器102之第二持有者的資料。In embodiments where operation 204 includes storing data representing the first owner of the first container 102 in the CDR 110 in the external database 108, the first storage module 106 may also change the first container 102 from At some time after possession by the second holder (which is different from the first holder), the first storage module 106 may store in at least one second record in the external database 108 the information representing the first container 102 Information on the second holder.

在操作206包括將表示第一容器102之第一持有者的資料儲存在CDM 118中之CDR 120中的實施例中，第二儲存模組116亦可在第一容器102變為由第二持有者(其不同於第一持有者)持有之後的某一時間，第二儲存模組116可在容器資料記錄120或CDM 118中之另一容器資料記錄中儲存表示第一容器102之第二持有者的資料。In embodiments where operation 206 includes storing data representing the first owner of first container 102 in CDR 120 in CDM 118 , second storage module 116 may also change from first container 102 to a second At some time after possession by the holder (which is different from the first holder), the second storage module 116 may store in the container data record 120 or another container data record in the CDM 118 a container representing the first container 102 information on the second holder.

在操作204包括將表示第一容器102之第一位置的資料儲存在外部資料庫108中之CDR 110中的實施例中，第一儲存模組106亦可在第一容器102移動至第二位置(其不同於第一位置)之後的某一時間，第一儲存模組106可在外部資料庫108中之至少一個第二記錄中儲存表示第一容器102之第二位置的資料。In embodiments where operation 204 includes storing data representing the first location of the first container 102 in the CDR 110 in the external database 108, the first storage module 106 may also move the first container 102 to a second location Sometime thereafter (which is different from the first location), the first storage module 106 may store data representing the second location of the first container 102 in at least one second record in the external database 108 .

在操作206包括將表示第一容器102之第一位置的資料儲存在CDM 118中之CDR 120中的實施例中，第二儲存模組116亦可在第一容器102移動至第二位置(其不同於第一位置)之後的某一時間，第二儲存模組116可在容器資料記錄120或CDM 118中之另一容器資料記錄中儲存表示第一容器102之第二位置的資料。In embodiments where operation 206 includes storing data representing the first location of the first container 102 in the CDR 120 in the CDM 118, the second storage module 116 may also move the first container 102 to a second location (which At some time after (other than the first location), second storage module 116 may store data representing the second location of first container 102 in container data record 120 or another container data record in CDM 118 .

第一產品104之一些或全部可自第一容器102分配。回應於此分配或在此分配之後的任何時間： ● 第一儲存模組106可在外部資料庫108中之至少一個第二CDR中儲存表示該分配的資料；及/或 ● 第二儲存模組116可在CDM 118中之至少一個第二CDR中儲存表示該分配的資料。 Some or all of first product 104 may be dispensed from first container 102 . In response to this assignment or at any time after this assignment: ● The first storage module 106 may store data representing the allocation in at least one second CDR in the external database 108; and/or ● Second storage module 116 may store data representing the allocation in at least one second CDR in CDM 118 .

表示該分配的此資料(無論儲存在外部資料庫108及/或CDM 118中)可包括表示以下各項中之任何一或多者的資料： ● 自第一容器102分配之第一產品104的量； ● 分配之後在第一容器102中剩餘之第一產品104的量； ● 自第一容器102分配之第一產品104的類型； ● 在分配時第一容器102之持有者的唯一身份； ● 在分配時第一容器102之所有者的唯一身份； ● 用於自第一容器102分配第一產品104之施用器設備的唯一身份； ● 用於自第一容器102分配第一產品104之施用器設備之操作者的唯一身份； ● 用於自第一容器102分配第一產品之施用器設備之所有者的唯一身份； ● 在分配時第一容器102之第二位置，其中第二位置不同於在操作202中進行填充時第一容器102之位置； ● 分配之時間； ● 自第一容器102分配第一產品104 (例如，施用至田地)的速率；及 ● 對於自第一容器102分配第一產品104的複數個位置L中之每一者，以下各項中之任何一或多者：(1)表示在位置L處自第一容器分配之第一產品的量之資料；(2)表示位置L之資料；(3)表示在位置L處自第一容器分配第一產品的時間之資料；及/或(4)表示在位置L處自容器分配產品的速率之資料。 This data representing the allocation (whether stored in external database 108 and/or CDM 118) may include data representing any one or more of the following: ● The amount of the first product 104 dispensed from the first container 102; ● the amount of first product 104 remaining in first container 102 after dispensing; ● the type of first product 104 dispensed from first container 102; ● The unique identity of the holder of the first container 102 at the time of distribution; ● Unique identity of the owner of the first container 102 at the time of distribution; ● the unique identity of the applicator device used to dispense the first product 104 from the first container 102; ● The unique identity of the operator of the applicator device used to dispense the first product 104 from the first container 102; ● The unique identity of the owner of the applicator device used to dispense the first product from the first container 102; ● A second position of the first container 102 at the time of dispensing, wherein the second position is different from the position of the first container 102 at the time of filling in operation 202; ● The time allocated; ● The rate at which the first product 104 is dispensed (eg, applied to a field) from the first container 102; and ● For each of the plurality of locations L where the first product 104 is dispensed from the first container 102, any one or more of the following: (1) represents the first product dispensed from the first container at location L (2) data indicating the location L; (3) information indicating the time at which the first product was dispensed from the first container at location L; and/or (4) information indicating the dispensation at location L from the container Product rate information.

在操作202中用第一產品104填充第一容器102之後的任何時間，至少一些第一產品104可被轉移至第三容器(未示出)。在此轉移之後，系統100可執行以下各項中之任一者或兩者： ● 第一儲存模組106可在外部資料庫108中之CDR 110及/或另一CDR中儲存表示該轉移的資料；及 ● 第二儲存模組116可在CDR 120及/或CDM 118中之另一CDR中儲存表示該轉移的資料。 At any time after filling first container 102 with first product 104 in operation 202, at least some of first product 104 may be transferred to a third container (not shown). After this transfer, system 100 may perform either or both of the following: ● The first storage module 106 may store data representing the transfer in the CDR 110 and/or another CDR in the external database 108; and • Second storage module 116 may store data representing the transfer in CDR 120 and/or another CDR in CDM 118 .

此外，在此轉移之後，系統100可在與第三容器相關聯之CDM (未示出)中儲存表示該轉移的資料。Additionally, after such transfer, system 100 may store data representing the transfer in a CDM (not shown) associated with the third container.

儲存的關於轉移(在上述位置中之任一者中)之資料可包括例如本文中揭示的可儲存的關於填充第一容器102之操作202的資料中之任一者。舉例而言，儲存的關於轉移之資料可包括，但不限於，呈任何組合的以下各項中之任何一或多者：轉移之產品的產品類型；轉移之產品的量；第一容器102之唯一身份及/或第三容器之唯一身份；轉移時第一容器102之持有者的唯一身份及/或第三容器之持有者的唯一身份；轉移時第一容器102之所有者的唯一身份及/或第三容器之所有者的唯一身份；轉移之日期；轉移之時間；轉移之位置(例如，緯度及經度或GPS坐標)；及負責引起轉移之實體的唯一身份。The stored data regarding the transfer (in any of the aforementioned locations) may include, for example, any of the storable data regarding the operation 202 of filling the first container 102 disclosed herein. For example, stored data regarding transfers may include, but is not limited to, any one or more of the following in any combination: the type of product transferred; the amount of product transferred; Unique identity and/or unique identity of the third container; unique identity of the holder of the first container 102 at the time of transfer and/or unique identity of the holder of the third container; unique identity of the owner of the first container 102 at the time of transfer Identity and/or unique identity of the owner of the third container; date of transfer; time of transfer; location of transfer (eg, latitude and longitude or GPS coordinates); and unique identity of the entity responsible for causing the transfer.

當記錄關於自第一容器102至第三容器之轉移的資料時，本發明之實施例可以自第一容器102之CDM 118讀取關於轉移的資料，且將所讀取的關於轉移的資料之一些或全部儲存在第三容器之CDM中。舉例而言，本發明之實施例可自第一容器102之CDM 118讀取關於自第一容器102轉移之產品的類型及量的資訊，且在第三容器之CDM中儲存關於自第一容器轉移至第三個容器中之產品的類型及量的資訊。When recording data about the transfer from the first container 102 to the third container, embodiments of the present invention may read the data about the transfer from the CDM 118 of the first container 102 and combine the read data about the transfer Some or all are stored in the CDM in the third container. For example, embodiments of the present invention may read information from the CDM 118 of the first container 102 regarding the type and amount of product transferred from the first container 102, and store information in the CDM of the third container about the product transferred from the first container. Information on the type and amount of product transferred to the third container.

自第一容器102至第三容器之此轉移可對任何數目個容器重複。舉例而言，在將至少一些第一產品自第一容器102轉移至第三容器之後，至少一些第一產品可自第三容器轉移至第四容器(未示出)，以此類推。在每一此轉移時或之後，本發明之實施例可執行結合將材料自第一容器轉移至第三容器在本文中揭示的功能中之任一者，諸如在外部資料庫108及/或與接收容器相關聯(例如，耦合至接收容器)之CDM中以本文中揭示的方式中之任一者儲存表示該轉移的資料。材料所轉移至的任何此類容器可為適合於作為行動產品分配設備之一部分的封閉式運輸容器，產品可自該行動產品分配設備分配至田地或其他區域。This transfer from the first container 102 to the third container can be repeated for any number of containers. For example, after transferring at least some of the first product from the first container 102 to the third container, at least some of the first product may be transferred from the third container to a fourth container (not shown), and so on. At or after each such transfer, embodiments of the invention may perform any of the functions disclosed herein in connection with transferring material from the first container to the third container, such as in external database 108 and/or with Data representing the transfer is stored in a CDM associated with (eg, coupled to) the receiving container in any of the manners disclosed herein. Any such container to which the material is transferred may be a closed shipping container suitable as part of a mobile product distribution facility from which product may be distributed to a field or other area.

結合將產品自第一容器102轉移至第三容器在本文中揭示的技術中之任一者可應用於將第二產品154自第二容器152轉移至第一容器102。Any of the techniques disclosed herein in connection with transferring a product from the first container 102 to the third container may be applied to transferring the second product 154 from the second container 152 to the first container 102 .

因為系統100及方法200可儲存產品自一個容器轉移至另一容器之記錄，所以本發明之實施例可用於自動判定自特定容器分配之產品最初儲存在不同的容器中。舉例而言，容器A可用一定量的產品A進行填充，且本文中揭示的技術中之任一者可用於(例如，在外部資料庫及/或容器A之CDM中)儲存彼填充之第一記錄。產品A之一些或全部可自容器A轉移至容器B，且本文中揭示的技術中之任一者可用於(例如，在外部資料庫、容器A之CDM及/或容器B之CDM中)儲存彼轉移之第二記錄。產品A之一些或全部可自容器B分配，且本文中揭示的技術中之任一者可用於(例如，在外部資料庫及/或容器B之CDM中)儲存彼轉移之第三記錄。本發明之實施例可判定(例如，基於第一、第二及/或第三記錄)自容器B分配之產品A最初包含在容器A中。此僅為本發明之實施例提供產品自容器至容器的隨時間推移之可追溯性的方式的一個實例，且基於儲存在可驗證賬本/會計系統中之記錄來識別產品的出處。此外，若第一、第二及第三記錄係儲存在分散式賬本中，則此可追溯性係可驗證且防篡改的，或至少為篡改易顯的。圖2之方法200可包括基於儲存在外部資料庫108中之CDR 110中的資料及/或儲存在CDM 118中之CDR 120中的資料來確定第一產品104的出處。Because the system 100 and method 200 can store records of the transfer of product from one container to another, embodiments of the present invention can be used to automatically determine that product dispensed from a particular container was originally stored in a different container. For example, container A may be filled with an amount of product A, and any of the techniques disclosed herein may be used to store the first amount of that filling (e.g., in an external database and/or in container A's CDM). Record. Some or all of Product A can be transferred from container A to container B, and any of the techniques disclosed herein can be used for storage (e.g., in an external database, container A's CDM, and/or container B's CDM) The second record of his transfer. Some or all of Product A may be dispensed from Container B, and any of the techniques disclosed herein may be used to store a third record of that transfer (eg, in an external database and/or in Container B's CDM). Embodiments of the invention may determine (eg, based on the first, second, and/or third records) that product A dispensed from container B was originally contained in container A. This is just one example of the way an embodiment of the present invention provides traceability of product from container to container over time, and identifies the provenance of the product based on records stored in a verifiable ledger/accounting system. Furthermore, if the first, second and third records are stored in a distributed ledger, this traceability is verifiable and tamper-proof, or at least tamper-evident. Method 200 of FIG. 2 may include determining the provenance of first product 104 based on data stored in CDR 110 in external database 108 and/or data stored in CDR 120 in CDM 118 .

更一般地，本發明之實施例可使用儲存在複數個容器資料記錄中之資料來跨時間及空間追蹤特定產品，且基於該複數個容器資料記錄來識別產品在先前時間點(諸如產品例如由製造容器中之產品及/或用產品填充容器的實體首次填充至容器中的時間)時的以下狀態中之任何一或多者： ● 產品在彼時間點的位置； ● 在彼時間點含有產品之容器(諸如可藉由容器之容器ID來識別，容器ID可儲存在容器之CDM中)； ● 在彼時間點容器中所含之產品的量； ● 在彼時間點容器中所含之產品的類型； ● 在彼時間點與產品相關聯之一或多個實體(例如，製造商、所有者、持有者及/或使用者，諸如填充容器之使用者)； ● 在彼時間點與容器相關聯之一或多個實體(例如，製造商、所有者、持有者及/或使用者，諸如填充容器之使用者)。 More generally, embodiments of the invention may use data stored in container data records to track a particular product across time and space, and based on the plurality of container data records to identify a product at a previous point in time (such as a product such as Any one or more of the following states when the product in the container is manufactured and/or the entity filling the container with the product is first filled into the container): ● The location of the product at that point in time; ● The container containing the product at that point in time (identifiable such as by the container's container ID, which can be stored in the container's CDM); ● The quantity of product contained in the container at that point in time; ● The type of product contained in the container at that point in time; ● one or more entities associated with the product at that point in time (eg, manufacturer, owner, holder and/or user, such as the user filling the container); • One or more entities associated with the container at that point in time (eg, manufacturer, owner, holder, and/or user, such as the user filling the container).

此追蹤可以一方式執行，該方式係可驗證且防篡改的，或在例如容器資料記錄儲存在分散式賬本中的情況下係至少篡改易顯的。此追蹤可涉及例如： ● 識別與產品相關聯之當前容器資料記錄(例如，含有表示當前儲存在特定容器中之產品的量的資料之容器資料記錄)； ● 識別含有與產品之先前狀態(例如，產品之先前位置、含有產品之先前容器及/或產品的先前所有者、持有者及/或使用者)相關聯的資料之一或多個容器資料記錄； ● 基於當前容器資料記錄及一或多個先前容器資料記錄，識別涉及產品的鏈，諸如量、位置、容器、所有者、持有者及/或使用者的鏈； ● 經由識別出的鏈向後(例如，經由量、位置、容器、所有者、持有者及/或使用者的鏈向後)追蹤產品，以識別產品在先前時間點的狀態中之任一者；及/或 ● 判定鏈中的任何鏈接是否損壞或丟失，諸如藉由判定與產品相關聯的量、位置、容器及/或實體(例如，所有者、持有者或使用者)之間的鏈接是否損壞或丟失。 This tracking can be performed in a way that is verifiable and tamper-proof, or at least tamper-evident in the case, for example, of container data records stored in a decentralized ledger. This tracking can involve, for example: ● Identify the current container data record associated with the product (e.g., a container data record containing data representing the quantity of product currently stored in a particular container); ● Identify one or more container data that contain data associated with a previous state of the product (e.g., previous location of the product, previous container containing the product, and/or previous owner, holder, and/or user of the product) Record; ● Identify chains involving the product, such as chains of quantity, location, container, owner, holder, and/or user, based on the current container data record and one or more previous container data records; ● Tracing the product backwards through identified chains (e.g., through chains of volume, location, container, owner, holder, and/or user) to identify any of the states of the product at a previous point in time; and/or ● Determining whether any links in the chain are broken or missing, such as by determining whether links between quantities, locations, containers, and/or entities (e.g., owners, holders, or users) associated with the product are broken or lost.

此類鏈中之損壞或丟失鏈接之實例包括此類鏈中之兩個或更多個容器資料記錄(例如，兩個或更多個連續資料記錄)，該等容器資料記錄： ● 未指示產品所有權自一個實體轉移至另一實體，但指示產品之不同所有者； ● 未指示產品持有權自一個實體轉移至另一實體，但指示產品之不同持有者； ● 未指示任何產品係自容器分配，但指示容器含有不同量的產品； ● 未指示任何產品經填充至容器中，但指示容器含有不同量的產品。 Examples of broken or missing links in such chains include two or more container data records (e.g., two or more consecutive data records) in such chains that: ● Does not indicate a transfer of ownership of the product from one entity to another, but indicates different owners of the product; ● Not directing the transfer of product ownership from one entity to another, but directing different holders of the product; ● Not indicating that any product was dispensed from the container, but indicating that the container contained a variable amount of product; ● Does not indicate that any product was filled into the container, but indicates that the container contained varying amounts of product.

本發明之實施例可基於一或多個容器資料記錄(諸如儲存在分散式賬本及/或一或多個容器資料模組中之一或多個容器資料記錄)來執行碳信用確證。一般而言，執行此碳信用確證可包括例如： ● (例如，自分散式賬本及/或一或多個容器資料模組)接收複數個容器資料記錄； ● 基於該複數個容器資料記錄，判定是否已滿足碳信用之準則；及 ● 產生且提供指示是否已滿足碳信用之準則的輸出。 Embodiments of the present invention may perform carbon credit validation based on one or more container data records, such as one or more container data records stored in a distributed ledger and/or one or more container data modules. In general, performing this carbon credit validation can include, for example: ● Receive a plurality of container data records (e.g., from a distributed ledger and/or one or more container data modules); ● Based on the multiple container data records, determine whether the criteria for carbon credits have been met; and ● Generate and provide an output indicating whether the criteria for carbon credits have been met.

取決於判定之結果，此輸出可例如指示碳信用之準則已得到滿足或碳信用之準則尚未得到滿足。與本文中揭示的其他方法中之任一者一樣，碳信用確證之此等方法可由一或多個電腦處理器(例如，自動地)執行，該一或多個電腦處理器執行儲存在一或多個非暫時性電腦可讀媒體上之電腦程式指令。Depending on the outcome of the determination, this output may eg indicate that the criteria for carbon credits have been met or the criteria for carbon credits have not been met. As with any of the other methods disclosed herein, these methods of carbon credit assurance may be performed (e.g., automatically) by one or more computer processors executing data stored in one or more Computer program instructions on multiple non-transitory computer readable media.

判定是否已滿足碳信用之準則的一種方式為判定該複數個容器資料記錄是否指示帶標容器內之產品已施用至特定地理坐標。該複數個容器資料記錄可例如包括表示施用地圖的資料，該施用地圖表示施用產品時的複數個地理坐標。本發明之實施例可判定施用地圖中的該複數個地理坐標是否包括特定地理坐標，諸如碳信用所需之特定地理坐標。該複數個容器資料記錄可例如儲存在外部資料庫中，諸如作為分散式賬本(或含有分散式賬本或含於分散式賬本中)的外部資料庫，或並非分散式賬本(或不含有分散式賬本或不含於分散式賬本中)的外部資料庫。判定施用地圖是否指示產品在特定地理坐標內施用可提供此施用之證據或證明，以用於滿足碳信用準則之目的。然而，本發明之實施例可驗證產品係在特定地理坐標內施用，以用於除了碳信用確證之外的目的。本發明之實施例可類似地用於判定複數個容器資料記錄是否指示帶標容器內之產品尚未施用至特定地理坐標。One way to determine whether the criteria for a carbon credit has been met is to determine whether the plurality of container data records indicate that the product within the labeled container has been applied to a particular geographic coordinate. The plurality of container data records may, for example, include data representing an application map representing geographical coordinates at which the product was applied. Embodiments of the present invention may determine whether the plurality of geographic coordinates in the application map include specific geographic coordinates, such as those required for carbon credits. The plurality of container data records may, for example, be stored in an external database, such as an external database that is (or contains or is contained in) a distributed ledger, or that is not (or does not contain) a distributed ledger. ledger or an external repository not included in the distributed ledger). Determining whether an application map indicates that a product is applied within specific geographic coordinates may provide evidence or proof of such application for the purpose of meeting carbon credit guidelines. However, embodiments of the present invention may verify that products are applied within specific geographic coordinates for purposes other than carbon credit certification. Embodiments of the present invention may similarly be used to determine whether a plurality of container data records indicate that the product within the labeled container has not been applied to a particular geographic coordinate.

由第一儲存模組106及/或第二儲存模組116儲存的資料中之任一者(例如，儲存在外部資料庫108、容器資料記錄110、容器資料模組118及/或容器資料記錄120中的資料中之任一者)可以加密形式儲存。對於本文中揭示的任何資料亦如此。Any of the data stored by first storage module 106 and/or second storage module 116 (e.g., stored in external database 108, container data record 110, container data module 118, and/or container data record Any of the data in 120) may be stored in encrypted form. The same is true for any material disclosed herein.

系統100可在各種時間中之任一者且回應於各種事件中之任一者來更新容器資料記錄110及/或容器資料記錄120。舉例而言，系統100可更新容器資料記錄110及/或容器資料記錄120： ● 回應於滿足時間相關的準則，諸如在一預定時間(例如，預定當天時間)或多個時間(例如，週期性地，諸如每秒、每分鐘、每小時、每天、每週或每月)，在計時器(例如，在至少一秒、一分鐘、一小時、一天、一週或一個月過去之後結束的計時器)結束時，或在自上次更新起已過去了預定時間量(例如，一秒、一分鐘、一小時、一天、一週或一個月)之後； ● 回應於自容器102填充或分配任何產品(例如，第一產品104之一些或全部)； ● 回應於滿足基於移動的準則，諸如回應於容器102之任何移動、回應於容器102移動超過預定距離、回應於容器102自預定位置移動或回應於容器102到達預定位置； ● 回應於容器102之所有者、持有者或使用者的改變。 System 100 may update container data record 110 and/or container data record 120 at any of various times and in response to any of various events. For example, system 100 may update container data record 110 and/or container data record 120: ● Responsive to meeting time-related criteria, such as at a predetermined time (e.g., a predetermined time of day) or multiple times (e.g., periodically, such as every second, every minute, every hour, every day, every week, or every month) , when a timer (for example, a timer that ends after at least one second, minute, hour, day, week, or month has elapsed), or when a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the last update (for example, a second, a minute, an hour, a day, a week or a month); ● in response to filling or dispensing any product from container 102 (eg, some or all of first product 104); l in response to meeting movement-based criteria, such as in response to any movement of the container 102, in response to the container 102 moving beyond a predetermined distance, in response to the container 102 moving from a predetermined location, or in response to the container 102 arriving at a predetermined location; • Respond to changes in the owner, holder, or user of container 102.

容器資料記錄110及/或容器資料記錄120的任何此類更新可更新容器資料記錄110及/或容器資料記錄120中的多種資料中之任一者，諸如藉由更新表示(例如，改變、添加至或刪除)以下各項中之任何一或多者的資料： ● 儲存在容器102中之產品的類型； ● 與量相關的數量，諸如在填充操作中填充至容器102中之產品104的量、在分配操作中自容器102分配之產品104的量、容器102中所含之產品104的總量或容器102中剩餘之空間的量； ● 與位置相關的數量，諸如容器102之當前位置、執行特定操作(例如，填充、分配或所有者/持有者/使用者之改變)時容器102之位置或在特定時間時容器102之位置； ● 容器102之所有者、持有者或使用者的身份，諸如容器102之當前、前任及/或新所有者、持有者或使用者的身份。 Any such update of container data record 110 and/or container data record 120 may update any of a variety of data in container data record 110 and/or container data record 120, such as by updating representations (e.g., changing, adding to or delete) any one or more of the following: ● the type of product stored in container 102; ● A quantity related quantity, such as the quantity of product 104 filled into container 102 in a filling operation, the quantity of product 104 dispensed from a container 102 in a dispensing operation, the total amount of product 104 contained in a container 102 or container the amount of space left in 102; ● A quantity related to a location, such as the current location of the container 102, the location of the container 102 when a particular operation is performed (e.g., filling, dispensing, or change of owner/holder/user) or the location of the container 102 at a particular time ; • The identity of the owner, holder, or user of the container 102, such as the identity of the current, previous, and/or new owner, holder, or user of the container 102.

系統100可例如藉由將已更新資料添加至容器資料記錄110及/或容器資料記錄120來儲存任何此類已更新資料。在本發明之一些實施例中，系統100產生表示在容器102上執行之所有填充及分配操作的容器資料記錄，且至少在外部資料庫108中儲存該等容器資料記錄。系統100亦可產生表示容器102之所有權的所有改變之容器資料記錄，且至少在分散式賬本中儲存該等容器資料記錄。以此方式，系統可在可驗證賬本中記錄容器102隨時間的所有重要改變之記錄，諸如產品154及/或產品104之可驗證監管鏈。結果，CDR 110及/或CDR 120可用於可驗證地往回追蹤任何施用之產品(例如，自容器102施用之任何產品104)至產品的原始製造點(例如，往回追蹤至第二容器152中之第二產品154)，從而防止人為錯誤及欺詐且實現碳信用確證。System 100 may store any such updated data, for example, by adding the updated data to container data record 110 and/or container data record 120 . In some embodiments of the invention, system 100 generates container data records representing all filling and dispensing operations performed on containers 102 and stores the container data records in at least external database 108 . The system 100 can also generate container data records representing all changes in ownership of the containers 102, and store the container data records at least in the distributed ledger. In this way, the system can record in a verifiable ledger a record of all significant changes to container 102 over time, such as product 154 and/or a verifiable chain of custody of product 104 . As a result, CDR 110 and/or CDR 120 can be used to verifiably trace any administered product (e.g., any product 104 administered from container 102) back to the original point of manufacture of the product (e.g., back to second container 152 Among them, the second product 154), thereby preventing human error and fraud and realizing carbon credit verification.

系統100可執行任意數目次此種更新。舉例而言，容器102可能經歷諸多填充及分配操作、諸多位置改變及諸多所有者/持有者/使用者改變。系統100可藉由更新容器資料記錄110及/或容器資料記錄120來記錄每一此事件。結果可為含有容器102之大量(例如，10個、100個、500個或更多個)容器資料記錄的容器歷史資料。System 100 may perform any number of such updates. For example, container 102 may undergo numerous fill and dispense operations, numerous location changes, and numerous owner/holder/user changes. System 100 may log each such event by updating container data record 110 and/or container data record 120 . The result may be container history data containing a large number (eg, 10, 100, 500, or more) of container data records for the container 102 .

系統100可為容器資料記錄110及/或容器資料記錄120中之每一者加上時間戳及地理標籤，諸如藉由在容器資料記錄110及/或容器資料記錄120中之每一者中儲存以下各者中之一者或兩者： ● 表示與容器資料記錄相關聯之時間的資料(例如，建立或修改容器資料記錄的時間，或由容器資料記錄表示之事件的時間，諸如自容器102填充或分配產品的時間、容器102移動的時間或容器102之所有者/持有者/使用者改變的時間)；及 ● 表示與容器資料記錄相關聯之位置的資料(例如，容器102之當前位置、在由容器資料記錄表示之事件時容器102之位置，該事件諸如填充或自容器102分配產品、移動容器102或改變容器102之所有者/持有者/使用者)。 System 100 may time stamp and geotag each of container data records 110 and/or container data records 120, such as by storing in each of container data records 110 and/or container data records 120 One or both of the following: ● Data representing a time associated with a container data record (e.g., the time a container data record was created or modified, or the time of an event represented by a container data record, such as the time a product was filled or dispensed from a container 102, the time a container 102 was moved time or when the owner/holder/user of container 102 changed); and ● Data representing the location associated with the container data record (e.g., the current location of the container 102, the location of the container 102 at the time of the event represented by the container data record, such as filling or dispensing product from the container 102, moving the container 102, or change owner/holder/user of container 102).

儲存在外部資料庫108及/或CDM 118中的表示時間之任何資料(例如，表示填充操作202之時間的資料)可以多種方式中之任一者來表示，諸如藉由日期之組合(例如，年、月及日的組合)及當日時間，或藉由唯一表示時間點的時間戳。Any data stored in external database 108 and/or CDM 118 representing a time (e.g., data representing the time of fill operation 202) may be represented in any of a variety of ways, such as by a combination of dates (e.g., combination of year, month, and day) and the time of day, or by a timestamp that uniquely represents a point in time.

儲存在外部資料庫108及/或CDM 118中的表示位置之任何資料(例如，表示填充操作202之位置的資料)可以多種方式中之任一者來表示，諸如藉由使用全球定位系統(GPS)技術獲得的坐標或藉由經度與緯度之組合。確定與填充程序相關聯之地理坐標的一種手段可為將填充操作之IP位址與由諸如Google地圖的單獨且獨立之全球導航系統提供的緯度/經度資訊相關聯。Any data stored in external database 108 and/or CDM 118 representing a location (e.g., data representing the location of fill operation 202) may be represented in any of a variety of ways, such as by using a Global Positioning System (GPS ) technology or by a combination of longitude and latitude. One means of determining the geographic coordinates associated with the fill procedure may be to correlate the IP address of the fill operation with latitude/longitude information provided by a separate and independent global navigation system such as Google Maps.

對CDR 110及/或120之任何更新可自動或半自動地執行。舉例而言，當第一產品104之一些或全部自第一容器102分配時，系統100可自動地偵測此分配正在發生或已發生，自動地識別自第一容器102已分配之第一產品104的類型及量(諸如藉由自CDR 110及/或120讀取第一產品104的類型及量)，且(在CDR 110及/或120中)自動地儲存關於分配的資訊，諸如分配之產品104的類型及量；自容器102分配產品104所用的速率；分配之位置、日期及/或時間；及分配時的容器102之所有者、持有者及/或使用者。此同樣適用於填充第一容器102及其他行動，諸如移動第一容器102 (在此情況下，可自動偵測容器之新位置且將該新位置儲存在CDR 110及/或120中)。Any updates to CDRs 110 and/or 120 may be performed automatically or semi-automatically. For example, when some or all of the first product 104 is dispensed from the first container 102, the system 100 can automatically detect that this dispense is or has occurred, automatically identifying the first product that has been dispensed from the first container 102 104 type and amount (such as by reading the type and amount of first product 104 from CDR 110 and/or 120), and (in CDR 110 and/or 120) automatically store information about distribution, such as the The type and amount of product 104; the rate at which product 104 is dispensed from container 102; the location, date, and/or time of dispense; and the owner, holder, and/or user of container 102 at the time of dispense. The same applies to filling the first container 102 and other actions, such as moving the first container 102 (in which case the new location of the container can be automatically detected and stored in the CDR 110 and/or 120).

除非本文另有說明，否則本文中揭示的儲存在外部資料庫108及/或CDM 118中之任何資訊可儲存在以下各項中之任一者中：(1)僅外部資料庫108；(2)僅CDM 118；或(3)外部資料庫108及CDM 118兩者。正如此所暗示，本文中揭示的資訊中之一些或全部可儲存在外部資料庫108中，而非儲存在CDM 118中。Unless otherwise stated herein, any information disclosed herein stored in external database 108 and/or CDM 118 may be stored in any of: (1) external database 108 only; (2) ) CDM 118 only; or (3) both external database 108 and CDM 118 . As this implies, some or all of the information disclosed herein may be stored in external database 108 rather than in CDM 118 .

在任何特定時間(例如，用第一產品填充第一容器102的時間)的第一容器102之持有者可以或可不與在彼特定時間的第一容器102之所有者相同。舉例而言，在彼特定時間的第一容器102之所有者在彼特定時間可具有對第一容器102之合法所有權，但在彼特定時間不持有第一容器102，在此情況下，除了所有者以外的一方在彼特定時間可持有第一容器102。同樣地，容器102在特定時間的所有者或持有者可能不同於在彼特定時間的容器102中之產品104的所有者。舉例而言，一個實體可能擁有一艘貨櫃船，而一不同的實體可能操作該貨櫃船且可能被認為持有貨櫃而非擁有貨櫃，而又一實體或個人可能擁有貨櫃中之產品，該產品為由第一實體所有，同時由第二實體持有。The holder of the first container 102 at any particular time (eg, the time the first container 102 is filled with the first product) may or may not be the same as the owner of the first container 102 at that particular time. For example, the owner of the first container 102 at that particular time may have legal title to the first container 102 at that particular time, but not possess the first container 102 at that particular time, in which case, except A party other than the owner may possess the first container 102 at that particular time. Likewise, the owner or holder of the container 102 at a particular time may be different than the owner of the product 104 in the container 102 at that particular time. For example, one entity may own a container ship, a different entity may operate the container ship and may be considered to hold the container rather than own it, and yet another entity or person may own the product contained in the container, the product Owned by a first entity and held by a second entity.

第一容器102之所有權可在第一容器102沒有實體移動的情況下改變，且第一容器102可在第一容器102之所有權或持有權沒有改變的情況下實體地移動。本發明之實施例可追蹤以下屬性中之一或多者的值且以任何組合將該等值記錄在容器之CDM 118上及/或外部資料庫108內，因為該等屬性可隨時間及位置改變：容器所有權、容器持有權及容器位置。舉例而言，本發明之實施例可追蹤以下各項中之任何一或多者，且以任何組合在容器之CDM 118及/或外部資料庫108中儲存以下各項中之任何一或多者：(1)在第一時間的第一容器102之第一所有者及在第二時間的第一容器102之第二所有者，其中第一所有者不同於第二所有者；(2)在第一時間的第一容器102之第一持有者及在第二時間的第一容器102之第二持有者，其中第一持有者不同於第二持有者；(3)在第一時間的第一容器102之第一位置及在第二時間的第一容器102之第二位置，其中第一位置不同於第二位置。在所有此等情況下，第一時間可不同於第二時間(例如，第二時間可晚於第一時間)。Ownership of the first container 102 may change without physical movement of the first container 102 , and first container 102 may physically move without a change in ownership or possession of the first container 102 . Embodiments of the present invention may track the values of one or more of the following attributes and record those values in any combination on the container's CDM 118 and/or in the external database 108, since these attributes may change over time and location Changes: container ownership, container ownership, and container location. For example, embodiments of the invention may track and store any one or more of the following in any combination in the container's CDM 118 and/or external database 108 : (1) a first owner of the first container 102 at a first time and a second owner of the first container 102 at a second time, wherein the first owner is different from the second owner; (2) at The first holder of the first container 102 at a first time and the second holder of the first container 102 at a second time, wherein the first holder is different from the second holder; (3) A first position of the first container 102 at a time and a second position of the first container 102 at a second time, wherein the first position is different from the second position. In all such cases, the first time may be different than the second time (eg, the second time may be later than the first time).

當將第一容器102裝載至施用設備中以用於自第一容器102分配第一產品104之一些或全部(例如，至田地或其他區域)時，系統100可自容器資料模組118中之容器資料記錄120讀取資訊且將彼資訊之至少一些儲存在施用設備上的非暫時性電腦可讀媒體中(其中彼非暫時性電腦可讀媒體本身可為容器資料模組之一實例)。自容器102之CDM 118讀取此類資訊的一個益處為如此做能消除當產生容器102之內容物及填充至容器102且自容器102分配的產品之量的記錄時的操作員錯誤及操作員欺詐。此外，施用設備可經組態以判定是否已經自容器102之CDM 118讀取所有必要的資訊。此確認可自動地或手動地執行(例如，藉由自施用設備之操作員接收指示是否已自容器102之CDM 118讀取所有必要的資訊之輸入)。施用設備可經組態以僅在已判定已自容器102之CDM 118讀取所有必要的資訊之情況下自容器102分配產品104。When the first container 102 is loaded into the applicator for dispensing some or all of the first product 104 from the first container 102 (e.g., to a field or other area), the system 100 can select from one of the container profile modules 118 Container data record 120 reads the information and stores at least some of that information in a non-transitory computer-readable medium on the applicator (where the non-transitory computer-readable medium itself may be an example of a container data module). One benefit of reading such information from the CDM 118 of the container 102 is that doing so can eliminate operator error and operator error when generating records of the contents of the container 102 and the amount of product filled into and dispensed from the container 102. fraud. Additionally, the applicator can be configured to determine whether all necessary information has been read from the CDM 118 of the container 102 . This confirmation can be performed automatically or manually (eg, by receiving input from the operator of the application device indicating whether all necessary information has been read from the CDM 118 of the container 102). The applicator may be configured to dispense product 104 from container 102 only if it has determined that all necessary information has been read from CDM 118 of container 102 .

藉由自動地記錄已儲存至複數個容器(諸如第一容器102及第二容器152)中之每一者中且自容器分配的產品(包括第一產品104且亦可能包括其他產品)之類型及量、此儲存及分配之位置以及此等容器之所有權/持有權/使用權隨空間及時間的移動及轉移，本發明之實施例可用於使將碳信用分配給施用肥料比使用歷史最佳管理實踐(BMP)將施用之情況少的農民之實體能夠確信記錄(例如，在CDM 118上及/或外部資料庫108中)之資訊係準確的。此外，向農民購買碳信用之實體可確信農民收到了他們支付的費用，因為建立碳信用相關活動之可驗證且防篡改(或至少篡改易顯)記錄可作為溫室氣體排放量減少確實發生的證據。此使與向某人購買碳信用相關聯的責任減少，只是後來才知道為抵換自己的碳足跡而購買之信用係無效的。By automatically recording the type of product (including first product 104 and possibly other products as well) that has been stored into and dispensed from each of a plurality of containers (such as first container 102 and second container 152) and the amount, location of this storage and distribution, and the movement and transfer of ownership/possession/use rights of these containers over space and time, embodiments of the present invention can be used to make the allocation of carbon credits to applied fertilizers more recent than usage history. There are few instances in which BMPs will be applied by farmers' entities that can be confident that the information recorded (eg, on the CDM 118 and/or in the external database 108) is accurate. In addition, entities purchasing carbon credits from farmers can be confident that farmers are receiving what they pay for, as establishing a verifiable and tamper-proof (or at least tamper-evident) record of carbon credit-related activity serves as evidence that reductions in greenhouse gas emissions have actually occurred . This reduces the liability associated with purchasing carbon credits from someone only to later learn that the credits purchased to offset one's own carbon footprint are not valid.

本發明之實施例可在容器已被孤立時(即在不知道容器之當前所有者/持有者時)使用，以判定誰可能為容器之當前或最近的所有者/持有者。舉例而言，在此情況下，可自容器之CDM讀取容器的唯一容器ID。本發明之實施例可將彼唯一容器ID與儲存在處於CDM外之資料儲存中的相同唯一容器ID關聯，該資料儲存例如外部資料庫(諸如作為分散式賬本的外部資料庫，或並非分散式賬本的外部資料庫)或分散式賬本中介。一旦該關聯已執行，即可使用唯一容器ID在外部資料儲存中搜尋關於容器之當前或最近的所有者/持有者的資訊，且可在外部資料儲存中找到的任何結果資訊可用於識別容器之當前或最近的所有者/持有者。替代地，例如，若容器之CDM含有表示容器之當前或最近的所有者/持有者之資料，則可直接自容器之CDM讀取所有者/持有者資料，以識別容器之當前或最近的所有者/持有者。Embodiments of the present invention can be used when a container has been orphaned (ie, when the current owner/holder of the container is not known) to determine who may be the current or most recent owner/holder of the container. For example, in this case, the container's unique container ID can be read from the container's CDM. Embodiments of the present invention may associate that unique container ID with the same unique container ID stored in a data store outside the CDM, such as an external database, such as an external database that is a distributed ledger, or that is not decentralized ledger) or a decentralized ledger intermediary. Once this association has been performed, the external data store can be searched for information about the current or most recent owner/holder of the container using the unique container ID, and any resulting information that can be found in the external data store can be used to identify the container current or most recent owner/holder. Alternatively, for example, if the container's CDM contains information indicating the current or most recent owner/holder of the container, the owner/holder information can be read directly from the container's CDM to identify the current or most recent owner/holder of the container owner/holder.

本發明之實施例可追蹤單個容器內之多種產品的數量。舉例而言，在自容器分配某一部分之第一產品之後，容器可用一或多種額外產品來填充以替換某一部分或全部移除量的第一產品。當此情況發生時，可在容器之CDM及/或分散式賬本上追蹤混合成分之摻合量，摻合材料之某一個別組成組份可達到希望追蹤該等組成組份的程度。舉例而言，若殺蟲劑在帶標容器內進行摻合，則可追蹤個別EPA註冊之活性成分之一些或全部，該等活性成分作為容器內所含的摻合產品之組成物而包括，無需同時追蹤亦為摻合/混合內容物之組成組份的各種惰性成分。Embodiments of the present invention can track the quantities of multiple products within a single container. For example, after dispensing a portion of the first product from the container, the container may be filled with one or more additional products to replace some or all of the removed amount of the first product. When this occurs, the blended quantities of the blended ingredients can be tracked on the container's CDM and/or distributed ledger, and individual constituents of the blended material can be tracked to the extent desired. For example, if a pesticide is blended in a labeled container, some or all of the individual EPA-registered active ingredients included as a constituent of the blended product contained in the container may be traced, There is no need to simultaneously track various inert ingredients that are also constituents of the blended/blended contents.

本發明之實施例可在填充有材料之容器(例如，第一容器102)在供應鏈中移動時建立且維持完整的交易記錄，諸如用於產生關於來自容器之產品或材料的施用或消耗之有效性的鑑識品質記錄的目的。若沒有完整的交易鑑識鏈，則可能無法驗證由施用被追蹤容器之內容物而產生之施用記錄。要建立施用記錄，必須將關於所施用產品之資訊提供給施用設備。自歷史上看，彼資訊係在施用時由施用設備操作員提供，但如前所述，操作員錯誤之可能性很大。在本發明之實施例中，關於所施用或消耗產品之資訊可自CDM傳遞至施用設備。所施用產品資訊自CDM至施用設備之傳達確保所施用產品之資訊與CDM上的產品資訊一致，但為了自動證明或自動驗證CDM上的產品資訊係準確的，必須例如藉由分散式賬本及/或中央資料庫來維持完整的產品/材料及容器交易記錄。本發明之實施例的一個益處為該等實施例可用於使碳信用之購買者能夠確信碳信用合格之產品將實際上結合與建立正在購買之碳信用相關聯的施用產品記錄一起施用。Embodiments of the present invention may establish and maintain complete transaction records as a container filled with material (e.g., first container 102) moves through the supply chain, such as for generating information regarding the application or consumption of product or material from the container. Validity for the purpose of forensic quality records. Without the complete chain of authentication of the transaction, it may not be possible to verify the administration record resulting from administration of the contents of the tracked container. To establish an application record, information about the product applied must be provided to the application equipment. Historically, this information has been provided by the operator of the application equipment at the time of application, but as noted earlier, the potential for operator error is high. In an embodiment of the invention, information about the product being applied or consumed may be communicated from the CDM to the application device. The communication of applied product information from the CDM to the application equipment ensures that the information of the applied product is consistent with the product information on the CDM, but in order to automatically prove or automatically verify that the product information on the CDM is accurate, it must be done, for example, through a distributed ledger and/or Or a central database to maintain complete product/material and container transaction records. One benefit of embodiments of the present invention is that they can be used to enable purchasers of carbon credits to be confident that carbon credit-eligible products will actually be applied in conjunction with the application product records associated with establishing the carbon credits being purchased.

本發明之實施例可獨立地及/或共同地追蹤且儲存每一屬性，目的為建立且產生誰擁有或曾擁有容器、容器現在由誰持有且過去由誰持有及在任何給定時間點容器所在或曾經所在之位置的綜合鑑識記錄。容器之所有者亦可能不同於容器之內容物的所有者。然而，在組合的分散式賬本及/或CDM系統內，本發明之實施例可追蹤容器內之個別及/或摻合組成內容物組份的內容物之所有權，即使涉及多個所有者。容器一次僅可能在一個地方，且容器一次僅可能由一個實體持有(即使持有實體具有多個所有者)，但例如，實體A可能擁有容器本身，而實體B可能擁有容器內之產品1，同時，實體C可能擁有同一容器內之產品2。由於經由壁、隔板、分隔等的容器內之實體分離，產品1及產品2可維持容器內的產品各自組成物完整性，或產品1及產品2之數量可摻合在一起，每一實體繼續擁有彼實體對摻合產品之組成貢獻的追蹤數量。本發明之實施例的一個益處為該等實施例可建立全面的鑑識品質分散式賬本記錄，該記錄基本上表示與每一帶標容器相關的所有可記錄屬性，例如但不限於容器本身、容器內之一種產品及/或多種產品及/或製造、擁有、填充、持有、使用或分配、運輸、處理、處置等容器之內容物或容器本身的一個或多個實體。此鑑識監管鏈可為能夠確證例如為了獲得碳信用而存在的最終使用者/消費者之帶時間戳的地理施用/分配記錄係準確的且與在建立帶時間戳的地理施用記錄時實際上施用或消耗之產品一致所必需的。為了消除所有疑問，本發明之實施例可用於提供每一容器及容器中之產品的自動產生監管鏈，且提供與容器及容器中之產品相關聯的每一交易之自動產生交易記錄。重要的係，要理解儘管每一監管改變都可能導致產生且儲存相應的交易記錄，但一些交易可在沒有監管改變的情況下發生。本發明之實施例提供用於追蹤所有交易之手段，使得完整的監管鏈可經驗證為更大的交易資料主體中之要素。Embodiments of the present invention may track and store each attribute independently and/or collectively for the purpose of establishing and generating who owns or had owned the container, who the container is now and was held by, and at any given time A comprehensive forensic record of where the spot container is or has been. The owner of the container may also be different from the owner of the contents of the container. However, within a combined distributed ledger and/or CDM system, embodiments of the present invention can track ownership of the contents within a container, individually and/or blended to make up a content component, even if multiple owners are involved. A container can only be in one place at a time, and a container can only be held by one entity at a time (even if the holding entity has multiple owners), but for example, entity A may own the container itself, while entity B may own the product inside the container1 , at the same time, Entity C may own Product 2 in the same container. Product 1 and Product 2 may maintain the integrity of the respective compositions of the products in the container due to the separation of entities within the container via walls, partitions, partitions, etc., or the quantities of Product 1 and Product 2 may be blended together, each entity Continue to have tracking quantities of that entity's contribution to the composition of the blended product. One benefit of embodiments of the present invention is that they can create a comprehensive forensic-quality decentralized ledger record that represents essentially all recordable attributes associated with each labeled container, such as, but not limited to, the container itself, the A product and/or products and/or one or more entities that manufacture, own, fill, hold, use or distribute, transport, handle, dispose of, etc. the contents of a container or the container itself. This forensic chain of custody may be able to ascertain that the time-stamped geographic application/allocation record of the end-user/consumer that exists, for example, to obtain carbon credits, is accurate and consistent with the time-stamped geographic application record that was actually applied when the time-stamped geographic application record was established. or necessary for the consistency of the product consumed. To remove all doubt, embodiments of the present invention may be used to provide an automatically generated chain of custody for each container and product within the container, and to provide an automatically generated transaction record for each transaction associated with the container and the product within the container. It is important to understand that while every regulatory change may result in a corresponding transaction record being created and stored, some transactions may occur without a regulatory change. Embodiments of the present invention provide means for tracking all transactions so that a complete chain of custody can be verified as an element in a larger body of transaction data.

本文中揭示的系統及方法(例如，系統100及方法200)中之任一者可推遲儲存資料，除非且直至外部資料庫108可經由網路存取。舉例而言，參考圖5，根據本發明之一個實施例，展示出系統500之圖，該系統用於追蹤第一容器102中之第一產品104且用於將關於第一產品之資料儲存在容器資料模組118中，直至網路502變得可存取。圖6為由圖5之系統500之一個實施例執行的方法600之流程圖。圖5之系統500包括來自圖1之系統100的元件。本文中關於圖1對彼等元件之描述中之任一者同樣適用於圖5之系統500。Any of the systems and methods disclosed herein (eg, system 100 and method 200 ) can defer storing data unless and until external database 108 is accessible over the network. For example, referring to FIG. 5, a diagram of a system 500 for tracking a first product 104 in a first container 102 and for storing information about the first product in a container data module 118 until network 502 becomes accessible. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method 600 performed by one embodiment of the system 500 of FIG. 5 . System 500 of FIG. 5 includes elements from system 100 of FIG. 1 . Any of the descriptions of those elements herein with respect to FIG. 1 apply equally to system 500 of FIG. 5 .

系統500包括可為任何類型之通信網路的網路502，諸如區域網路(LAN)及/或廣域網路(例如，網際網路)。網路502可包括用於以有線及/或無線方式發送及接收資料的機制。本文中揭示的用於使用第一儲存模組106將資料儲存在外部資料庫108中的技術中之任一者可包括經由網路502發送此資料之第一儲存模組106，且外部資料庫108可接收此資料且將該資料儲存在外部資料庫108中。如本文中別處所述，外部資料庫108可以或可以不為分散式賬本、含有分散式賬本或含於分散式賬本內。System 500 includes network 502, which can be any type of communication network, such as a local area network (LAN) and/or a wide area network (eg, the Internet). Network 502 may include mechanisms for sending and receiving data in a wired and/or wireless manner. Any of the techniques disclosed herein for storing data in the external database 108 using the first storage module 106 can include the first storage module 106 sending this data over the network 502, and the external database 108 may receive this data and store the data in external database 108 . As described elsewhere herein, the external repository 108 may or may not be, contain, or be contained within a distributed ledger.

舉例而言，系統100可包括電腦510，該電腦具有至少一個電腦處理器512及第一非暫時性電腦可讀媒體514 (為了容易說明，在圖5中標記為「記憶體」)。電腦程式指令可儲存在第一非暫時性電腦可讀媒體514上。當電腦處理器512執行電腦程式指令時，電腦處理器512執行由彼等電腦程式指令定義之方法，諸如圖6之方法600之一些或全部。For example, system 100 may include a computer 510 having at least one computer processor 512 and a first non-transitory computer-readable medium 514 (labeled "memory" in FIG. 5 for ease of illustration). Computer program instructions may be stored on the first non-transitory computer readable medium 514 . When computer processor 512 executes computer program instructions, computer processor 512 performs the methods defined by those computer program instructions, such as some or all of method 600 of FIG. 6 .

填充模組130可諸如以本文中結合方法200之操作202 (圖2)揭示的方式中之任一者用第一產品104填充第一容器102 (圖6，操作602)。第一儲存模組106可接收表示用第一產品104填充第一容器102的資料(圖6，操作604)。第一儲存模組106可例如接收呈在第一容器102上之RFID標籤處接收的RFID信號之形式的此資料。Fill module 130 may fill first container 102 with first product 104 (FIG. 6, operation 602), such as in any of the manners disclosed herein in connection with operation 202 of method 200 (FIG. 2). The first storage module 106 may receive data indicative of filling the first container 102 with the first product 104 (FIG. 6, operation 604). The first storage module 106 may receive this data, for example, in the form of an RFID signal received at an RFID tag on the first container 102 .

第一儲存模組106可判定外部資料庫108是否可經由網路502存取(圖6，操作606)。第一儲存模組106可以多種方式中之任一者來做出此判定，諸如藉由判定第一儲存模組106與網路502之間是否存在網路連接，或藉由判定第一儲存模組106與外部資料庫108之間是否存在網路連接。若第一儲存模組106判定外部資料庫108可經由網路502存取，則第一儲存模組106可將接收到的資料儲存在外部資料庫108中，諸如以在上文結合圖2之操作204揭示的方式中之任一者(圖6，操作608)。The first storage module 106 can determine whether the external database 108 is accessible via the network 502 (FIG. 6, operation 606). The first storage module 106 can make this determination in any of a number of ways, such as by determining whether a network connection exists between the first storage module 106 and the network 502, or by determining whether the first storage module Whether there is a network connection between the group 106 and the external database 108 . If the first storage module 106 determines that the external database 108 is accessible via the network 502, the first storage module 106 may store the received data in the external database 108, such as described above in conjunction with FIG. Any one of the methods disclosed in operation 204 (FIG. 6, operation 608).

回應於判定外部資料庫108不可經由網路502存取，則第一儲存模組106可在第二非暫時性電腦可讀媒體(例如，非暫時性電腦可讀媒體514)中儲存接收到的資料，無需接入網路502，該接收到的資料可包括本文中揭示的資料中之任一者(例如，本文中揭示的在操作204中儲存的資料中之任一者) (圖6，操作610)。此儲存可例如在不經由網路502發送資料的情況下執行。In response to determining that the external database 108 is not accessible via the network 502, the first storage module 106 may store the received Data, without accessing the network 502, the received data may include any of the data disclosed herein (eg, any of the data stored in operation 204 disclosed herein) (FIG. 6, Operation 610). This storing can be performed without sending the data over the network 502, for example.

第二非暫時性電腦可讀媒體(例如，非暫時性電腦可讀媒體514)可例如在第一容器102及/或第一儲存模組106本端，此意味著第二非暫時性電腦可讀媒體無需接入網路502即可存取第一儲存模組106。舉例而言，第二非暫時性電腦可讀媒體可在第一容器102上。舉例而言，第二非暫時性電腦可讀媒體可為容器資料模組118、可含有容器資料模組118或可含於容器資料模組118內。The second non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., non-transitory computer-readable medium 514) can be, for example, local to the first container 102 and/or the first storage module 106, which means that the second non-transitory computer can The read media can access the first storage module 106 without accessing the network 502 . For example, a second non-transitory computer-readable medium can be on the first container 102 . For example, the second non-transitory computer-readable medium can be container data module 118 , can contain container data module 118 , or can be contained within container data module 118 .

作為一特定實例，第二非暫時性電腦可讀媒體可在施用設備中或上，諸如含有或耦接至第一容器102及/或第一儲存模組106之施用設備。此施用設備可含有電腦，該電腦含有或耦接至第二非暫時性電腦可讀媒體。作為另一實例，第二非暫時性電腦可讀媒體可為第一容器中或耦接至第一容器的容器資料模組。As a specific example, the second non-transitory computer-readable medium can be in or on an administration device, such as an administration device containing or coupled to the first container 102 and/or the first storage module 106 . The administration device may comprise a computer comprising or coupled to a second non-transitory computer readable medium. As another example, the second non-transitory computer-readable medium can be a container data module in or coupled to the first container.

在將接收到的資料儲存在第二非暫時性電腦可讀媒體中之後的某一時間，第一儲存模組106可判定外部資料庫108可經由網路502存取，諸如藉由判定在第一儲存模組與外部資料庫108之間已建立網路連接。回應於判定外部資料庫108可經由網路502存取，第一儲存模組106可將先前儲存在第二非暫時性電腦可讀媒體中之一些或全部資料儲存在外部資料庫108中之至少一個第一記錄中(例如，容器資料記錄110中) (圖6，操作608)。外部資料庫108可例如為區塊鏈，且至少一個第一記錄可為該區塊鏈中之至少一個第一區塊。At some time after storing the received data in the second non-transitory computer-readable medium, first storage module 106 may determine that external database 108 is accessible via network 502, such as by determining at A network connection has been established between a storage module and the external database 108 . In response to determining that the external database 108 is accessible via the network 502, the first storage module 106 may store some or all of the data previously stored in the second non-transitory computer-readable medium in at least one of the external databases 108. In a first record (eg, in container data record 110) (FIG. 6, operation 608). The external database 108 can be, for example, a blockchain, and the at least one first record can be at least one first block in the blockchain.

在判定外部資料庫108不可經由網路502存取且將接收到的資料儲存在第二非暫時性電腦可讀媒體中之後，第一儲存模組106可再次(例如，在諸如至少10秒、1分鐘或10分鐘的某一延遲之後)判定外部資料庫108是否可經由網路502存取。若第一儲存模組106判定外部資料庫108可經由網路502存取，則回應於彼判定，第一儲存模組106可將先前儲存在第二非暫時性電腦可讀媒體中之一些或全部資料儲存在外部資料庫108中之至少一個第一記錄中(例如，容器資料記錄110中)。若替代地，第一儲存模組106不判定外部資料庫108可經由網路502存取，則第一儲存模組106 (例如，在某一延遲之後)可再次判定外部資料庫108是否可經由網路502存取。判定外部資料庫108是否可經由網路存取且回應於判定外部資料庫108可經由網路存取而僅儲存接收到的資料之此程序可重複任意次數。After determining that the external database 108 is not accessible via the network 502 and storing the received data in the second non-transitory computer-readable medium, the first storage module 106 may again (eg, after at least 10 seconds, After some delay of 1 minute or 10 minutes) it is determined whether the external database 108 is accessible via the network 502. If the first storage module 106 determines that the external database 108 is accessible via the network 502, then in response to that determination, the first storage module 106 may save some or all of the data previously stored in the second non-transitory computer-readable medium All data is stored in at least one first record (eg, container data record 110 ) in external database 108 . If instead, first storage module 106 does not determine that external database 108 is accessible via network 502, first storage module 106 may again determine whether external database 108 is accessible via network 502 (e.g., after a delay). Network 502 access. This process of determining whether the external database 108 is network accessible and storing only received data in response to determining that the external database 108 is network accessible may be repeated any number of times.

圖5及圖6之系統500及方法600分別解決即使在電子通信網路(諸如網路502)不可存取時，如何以電子方式儲存表示容器中之產品的資料的技術問題。系統500及方法600藉由提供一技術解決方案來解決此技術問題，在該技術解決方案中，在電子通信網路不可用時將資料儲存在本端儲存媒體中，然後在電子通信網路變得可用時經由電子通信網路傳輸資料以進行遠端儲存。系統500及方法600之某些實施例包括以下操作之進一步技術特徵：自動地且重複地判定電子通信網路是否可用，且回應於判定電子通信網路已變得可用而經由電子通信網路自動地傳輸資料以進行遠端儲存。The system 500 and method 600 of FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively address the technical problem of how to electronically store data representing products in containers even when an electronic communication network such as network 502 is inaccessible. The system 500 and the method 600 solve this technical problem by providing a technical solution. In this technical solution, when the electronic communication network is unavailable, the data is stored in the local storage medium, and then the electronic communication network becomes Transmission of data over electronic communication networks for remote storage when available. Certain embodiments of the system 500 and method 600 include the further technical feature of automatically and repeatedly determining whether an electronic communication network is available, and in response to determining that the electronic communication network has become available, automatically data transfer for remote storage.

上面的描述內容描述回應於判定外部資料庫108不可經由網路502存取而將接收到的資料儲存在第二非暫時性電腦可讀媒體中。即使外部資料庫108可經由網路502存取，本發明之其他實施例亦可將接收到的資料儲存在第二非暫時性電腦可讀媒體中。舉例而言，以下操作可能有益處：即使外部資料庫108可經由網路502存取，亦將接收到的資料儲存在第二非暫時性電腦可讀媒體中保持某一時間段，然後在稍後時間將接收到的資料儲存在外部資料庫108中，該儲存可能並非回應於判定外部資料庫108可經由網路502存取。舉例而言，即使在外部資料庫108可經由網路502存取時，本發明之實施例亦可將接收到的資料儲存在第二非暫時性電腦可讀媒體中，以便在經由網路502傳輸資料以儲存在外部資料庫108中之前，收集且儲存某一最小量的此資料，從而降低對網路之利用。The above description describes storing the received data in the second non-transitory computer readable medium in response to determining that the external database 108 is not accessible via the network 502 . Even though the external database 108 is accessible via the network 502, other embodiments of the present invention may store the received data in the second non-transitory computer-readable medium. For example, it may be beneficial to store the received data on a second, non-transitory computer-readable medium for a certain period of time, even if the external database 108 is accessible via the network 502, and then at a later time The received data is stored in the external database 108 at a later time, which may not be responsive to determining that the external database 108 is accessible via the network 502 . For example, even when the external database 108 is accessible via the network 502, embodiments of the present invention may store the received data in a second non-transitory computer-readable medium for easy access to the external database 108 via the network 502. Before transmitting the data for storage in the external database 108, some minimum amount of this data is collected and stored, thereby reducing network utilization.

參考圖3A至圖3N，展示出根據本發明之一個實施例的用於確證碳信用合格活動之方法的泳道圖。圖3A至圖3N中的列中之每一者對應於特定的行動者且展示彼行動者採取之行動。特別地，圖3A至圖3N之圖含有對應於以下行動者之列： ● 產品(例如，合成氮肥或固氮作物投入物)之製造商； ● 含有該產品之容器的第一持有者(「持有者1」)； ● 含有該產品之容器的第二持有者(「持有者2」)； ● 含有該產品之容器的第N持有者(「持有者N」)，其中N為大於或等於零之任何值(例如，0、1、2、3或更大)； ● 該產品之最終持有者(例如，消費者或最終使用者) (「最終持有者」)； ● 外部資料庫(諸如分散式賬本，例如，區塊鏈)，其包括可寫入至外部資料庫及自外部資料庫讀取的一或多個電腦系統；及 ● 與含有該產品之容器相關聯的容器資料模組(CDM) (「帶標容器資料模組」)。 Referring to FIG. 3A to FIG. 3N , there are shown swim lane diagrams of a method for confirming carbon credit eligible activities according to an embodiment of the present invention. Each of the columns in FIGS. 3A-3N corresponds to a particular actor and shows the actions taken by that actor. In particular, the graphs of Figures 3A-3N contain columns corresponding to the following actors: ● Manufacturers of products (eg, synthetic nitrogen fertilizers or nitrogen-fixing crop inputs); ● The first holder of the container containing the product ("Holder 1"); ● The second holder of the container containing the product ("Holder 2"); ● The Nth holder of the container containing the product ("Holder N"), where N is any value greater than or equal to zero (eg, 0, 1, 2, 3, or greater); ● the ultimate holder of the product (for example, a consumer or end user) (“Ultimate Holder”); ● external databases (such as distributed ledgers, e.g., blockchains), which include one or more computer systems that can write to and read from external databases; and ● Container Data Module (CDM) associated with the container containing the product ("Tagged Container Data Module").

該方法可開始(步驟301)且包括以下內容。製造商製造產品A (步驟302)。製造商將一定量之產品A轉移至帶標容器A (即，用一定量之產品A填充容器A) (步驟303)。請注意，圖3A至圖3N中之製造商可為產品A之製造商及/或容器A之製造商。替代地，圖3A至圖3N中之製造商可能並非產品A或容器A的製造商，而是可為執行在圖3A至圖3N中標記為「製造商」之泳道中示出的功能之任何一方。The method may start (step 301) and include the following. The manufacturer manufactures product A (step 302). The manufacturer transfers an amount of product A to labeled container A (ie, fills container A with an amount of product A) (step 303). Note that the manufacturer in FIGS. 3A-3N may be the manufacturer of product A and/or the manufacturer of container A. Alternatively, the manufacturer in FIGS. 3A-3N may not be the manufacturer of product A or container A, but may be any that performs the function shown in the swim lane labeled "Manufacturer" in FIGS. 3A-3N. party.

將含有表示關於將產品A儲存至容器A中之資訊的資料之一或多個記錄5儲存在外部資料庫中(步驟304)。步驟304中之儲存可由多方中之任一者以多種方式中之任一者執行。對可用以執行步驟304之方式之實例的以下描述同樣適用於圖3A至圖3N之方法中的用於將資料儲存在分散式賬本中之其他步驟(即，步驟310、313、318、321、326、329、334、337、340、348及351)。One or more records 5 containing data representing information about storing product A into container A are stored in an external database (step 304). The storing in step 304 may be performed by any of a number of parties in any of a variety of ways. The following description of an example of the manner in which step 304 may be performed applies equally to the other steps in the method of FIGS. 326, 329, 334, 337, 340, 348 and 351).

本文中揭示的儲存在外部資料庫記錄305 (及本文中揭示的其他外部資料庫記錄)中之特定資料僅為此資料之實例，而非對本發明之限制。記錄305可包括除了本文中揭示的儲存在記錄305中的資料之外的資料。記錄305不必包括本文中揭示的儲存在記錄305中的資料之全部。The specific data disclosed herein stored in external database record 305 (and other external database records disclosed herein) are examples of such data and are not limitations of the invention. Record 305 may include data other than that disclosed herein stored in record 305 . Record 305 need not include all of the data stored in record 305 disclosed herein.

步驟304中之儲存可例如由製造商執行，例如，使用一或多個計算裝置來與外部資料庫通信(例如，經由諸如網際網路之網路)，且由此使記錄305儲存在外部資料庫中。製造商用來將記錄305儲存在外部資料庫中的計算裝置可例如不同於圖3A至圖3N中示出的其他行動者用來將記錄311、314、319、322、327、330、335、338、343及349儲存在外部資料庫中的計算裝置。The storage in step 304 may be performed, for example, by the manufacturer, for example, using one or more computing devices to communicate with an external database (e.g., via a network such as the Internet), and thereby cause the record 305 to be stored in the external database library. The computing device used by the manufacturer to store the records 305 in the external repository may, for example, be different from that used by the other actors shown in FIGS. , 343 and 349 computing devices stored in external databases.

作為另一實例，製造商可使用一或多個計算裝置來(經由諸如網際網路之網路)將要儲存在記錄305中的資訊之一些或全部傳輸至另一個行動者(諸如圖3A至圖3N中示出的其他行動者之一，或圖3A至圖3N中未示出的行動者)，為簡單起見，在本文中將另一行動者稱為外部資料庫中介。然後，該外部資料庫中介可(例如，經由諸如網際網路之網路)與外部資料庫通信，且由此使記錄305儲存在外部資料庫中。中介之此使用避免了開發允許每一行動者之計算裝置與外部資料庫通信且直接與外部資料庫進行交易的電腦應用程式之必要性。圖3A至圖3N中示出的其他行動者中之一或多者可類似地使用一或多個計算裝置來(經由諸如網際網路之網路)將要儲存在記錄314、319、322、327、330、335、338、343及349中之一些或全部中的資訊之一些或全部傳輸至同一外部資料庫中介，該外部資料庫中介可接著(例如，經由諸如網際網路之網路)與外部資料庫通信且由此使彼等記錄儲存在外部資料庫中。換言之，外部資料庫中介可充當集中式機構，以供圖3A至圖3N中之行動者中之一些或全部使用，以將記錄儲存在外部資料庫中。圖3A至圖3N中之行動者中之一些可與外部資料庫直接通信(即，無需使用外部資料庫中介)以使記錄儲存在外部資料庫中，而圖3A至圖3N中之其他行動者可經由外部資料庫中介與外部資料庫間接通信，以使記錄儲存在外部資料庫中。As another example, a manufacturer may use one or more computing devices to transmit (via a network such as the Internet) some or all of the information to be stored in record 305 to another actor (such as in FIGS. 3N, or an actor not shown in FIGS. 3A to 3N), for simplicity, the other actor is referred to herein as an external database intermediary. The external database intermediary may then communicate with the external database (eg, via a network such as the Internet) and thereby cause the records 305 to be stored in the external database. This use of intermediaries avoids the need to develop computer applications that allow each actor's computing device to communicate with and conduct transactions directly with external databases. One or more of the other actors shown in FIGS. 3A-3N may similarly use one or more computing devices to (via a network such as the Internet) upload data to be stored in records 314, 319, 322, 327 , 330, 335, 338, 343, and 349 transmit some or all of the information to the same external database intermediary, which may then (e.g., via a network such as the Internet) communicate with The external database communicates and thereby causes their records to be stored in the external database. In other words, the external database intermediary can act as a centralized mechanism for use by some or all of the actors in FIGS. 3A-3N to store records in the external database. Some of the actors in FIGS. 3A-3N can communicate directly with the external database (i.e., without using an external database intermediary) to have records stored in the external database, while other actors in FIGS. 3A-3N The external database may be communicated indirectly via an external database intermediary to cause records to be stored in the external database.

記錄305可以任何組合含有多種資料中之任一者，諸如表示以下各項中之任何一或多者的資料： ● 由外部資料庫項目表示之行動的類型，例如，「容器啟動行動」。 ● 容器A之唯一ID。 ● 在步驟303中進行填充時容器A之持有者之唯一ID (例如，製造商之唯一ID)。 ● 產品A之唯一ID。 ● 在步驟303中將產品A轉移至容器A時的批次、批、數量、日期、時間及位置。 Record 305 may contain any of a variety of data in any combination, such as data representing any one or more of the following: ● The type of action represented by the external database item, for example, "container start action". ● The unique ID of container A. • The unique ID of the holder of container A at the time of filling in step 303 (eg, the manufacturer's unique ID). ● The unique ID of product A. ● The batch, batch, quantity, date, time and location when product A was transferred to container A in step 303.

可將儲存在外部資料庫記錄305中的資訊中之一些或全部儲存在容器A之CDM中，諸如儲存在CDM中之記錄307中或藉由以其他方式更新CDM (步驟306)。製造商可例如使用計算裝置以在步驟306中更新容器A之CDM。本文中結合步驟306揭示的任何內容同樣適用於圖3A至圖3N中之其他CDM更新，即步驟315、323、331及344。Some or all of the information stored in external database record 305 may be stored in container A's CDM, such as in record 307 in the CDM or by otherwise updating the CDM (step 306). The manufacturer may, for example, use a computing device to update the CDM for container A in step 306 . Anything disclosed herein in connection with step 306 is equally applicable to the other CDM updates in FIGS. 3A-3N , namely steps 315 , 323 , 331 and 344 .

步驟306係可選的且可自圖3A至圖3N之方法省略。舉例而言，容器A之CDM可儲存呈條碼、QR碼或其他不可更新(靜態)資料之形式的資料。表示關於容器A之資訊的資料可例如在步驟306之前(甚至在圖3A至圖3N之方法的開始301之前)儲存在容器A之CDM中，諸如容器A之唯一容器ID。本發明之實施例可在多個時間中之任一者處自容器A之CDM讀取容器ID，且將該容器ID與儲存在別處(諸如在外部資料庫中)之容器ID關聯。舉例而言，除了步驟306之外或替代步驟306，製造商可將外部資料庫記錄305中所含的資訊中之一些或全部儲存在除了外部資料庫及容器A之CDM之外的資料儲存中，諸如在製造商本端或遠離製造商的資料庫中。圖3A至圖3N中示出的對外部資料庫之其他更新亦可儲存在另一此種資料儲存中，且可含有容器A之唯一ID。在任何時候，製造商皆可自容器A之CDM讀取容器A之容器ID，將彼容器ID與儲存在另一資料儲存中之一或多個記錄中的容器ID關聯，且由此擷取未儲存在容器A之CDM中的關於容器A之資訊。Step 306 is optional and can be omitted from the method of FIGS. 3A-3N . For example, the CDM for Container A may store data in the form of barcodes, QR codes, or other non-updatable (static) data. Data representing information about container A may, for example, be stored in container A's CDM prior to step 306 (even before start 301 of the method of FIGS. 3A-3N ), such as container A's unique container ID. Embodiments of the present invention may read the container ID from the CDM of container A at any one of multiple times and associate the container ID with a container ID stored elsewhere, such as in an external database. For example, in addition to or instead of step 306, the manufacturer may store some or all of the information contained in the external database record 305 in a data store other than the external database and container A's CDM , such as on-site at the manufacturer or in a repository remote from the manufacturer. Other updates to the external database shown in FIGS. 3A-3N may also be stored in another such data store, and may contain container A's unique ID. At any time, the manufacturer can read the container ID of container A from the CDM of container A, associate that container ID with the container ID stored in one or more records in another data store, and retrieve Information about container A that is not stored in container A's CDM.

一些事件觸發容器A之持有權轉移(步驟308)。製造商將容器A之持有權轉移至持有者1 (步驟309)。持有者1可例如為產品A之零售商，但更一般地，可為執行圖3A至圖3N中的標記為「持有者1」之泳道中示出之功能的任何一方。Some events trigger the transfer of ownership of container A (step 308). Manufacturer transfers possession of container A to holder 1 (step 309). Holder 1 may be, for example, the retailer of Product A, but more generally, may be any party performing the functions shown in the swim lane labeled "Holder 1" in FIGS. 3A-3N .

將含有表示關於容器A之持有權自製造商轉移至持有者1之資訊的資料之一或多個記錄311儲存在外部資料庫中(步驟310)。步驟310中之儲存可由製造商或任何其他一方以在上文結合步驟304揭示的方式中之任一者執行。One or more records 311 containing information representing the transfer of ownership of container A from manufacturer to holder 1 are stored in an external database (step 310). The storing in step 310 may be performed by the manufacturer or any other party in any of the ways disclosed above in connection with step 304 .

記錄311可以任何組合含有多種資料中之任一者，諸如表示以下各項中之任何一或多者的資料： ● 由外部資料庫項目表示之行動的類型，例如，「監管鏈行動」。 ● 容器A之唯一ID。 ● 持有者1之唯一ID。 ● 產品A之唯一ID。 ● 將容器A自製造商轉移至持有者1時的批次、批、數量、日期、時間及位置。 Record 311 may contain any of a variety of data in any combination, such as data representing any one or more of the following: ● The type of action represented by the external database item, for example, "Chain of Custody Action". ● The unique ID of container A. ● The unique ID of holder 1. ● The unique ID of product A. ● The batch, batch, quantity, date, time, and location when Container A was transferred from Manufacturer to Holder 1.

持有者1接受對容器A之持有(步驟312)。將含有表示關於持有者1接受對容器A之持有之資訊的資料之一或多個記錄314儲存在分散式賬本中(步驟313)。步驟313中之儲存可由持有者1或任何其他一方以在上文結合步驟304揭示的方式中之任一者執行。Holder 1 accepts possession of container A (step 312). One or more records 314 containing information representing information regarding Holder 1's acceptance of possession of container A are stored in the distributed ledger (step 313). The storage in step 313 may be performed by Holder 1 or any other party in any of the ways disclosed above in connection with step 304 .

記錄314可以任何組合含有多種資料中之任一者，諸如表示以下各項中之任何一或多者的資料： ● 由外部資料庫項目表示之行動的類型，例如，「監管鏈行動」。 ● 容器A之唯一ID。 ● 持有者1之唯一ID。 ● 產品A之唯一ID。 ● 持有者1接受對容器A之監管時的批次、批、數量、日期、時間及位置。 Record 314 may contain any of a variety of data in any combination, such as data representing any one or more of the following: ● The type of action represented by the external database item, for example, "Chain of Custody Action". ● The unique ID of container A. ● The unique ID of holder 1. ● The unique ID of product A. ● The batch, batch, quantity, date, time and location when Holder 1 accepts supervision of container A.

可將儲存在外部資料庫記錄314中的資訊之一些或全部儲存在容器A之CDM中，諸如儲存在CDM中之記錄316中或藉由以其他方式更新CDM (步驟315)。持有者1可例如以在上文結合步驟306揭示的方式中之任一者來執行步驟315。步驟315係可選的且可自圖3A至圖3N之方法省略，如在上文結合步驟306之可選性質所描述。Some or all of the information stored in external database record 314 may be stored in the CDM of container A, such as in record 316 in the CDM or by otherwise updating the CDM (step 315). Holder 1 may, for example, perform step 315 in any of the manners disclosed above in connection with step 306 . Step 315 is optional and may be omitted from the method of FIGS. 3A-3N , as described above in connection with the optional nature of step 306 .

持有者1將容器A之持有權轉移至持有者2 (步驟317)。持有者2可例如為使用產品A之農民，但更一般地，可為執行圖3A至圖3N中的標記為「持有者2」之泳道中示出之功能的任何一方。在實踐中，可能沒有任何持有者2。結果，步驟317及圖3A至圖3N中的標記為「持有者2」之泳道中示出的其他步驟係可選的且可自圖3A至圖3N之方法省略。Holder 1 transfers the possession of container A to Holder 2 (step 317). Holder 2 may be, for example, a farmer using Product A, but more generally any party performing the functions shown in the swim lanes labeled "Holder 2" in Figures 3A-3N. In practice, there may not be any holder 2. As a result, step 317 and other steps shown in the lane labeled "Holder 2" in FIGS. 3A-3N are optional and can be omitted from the method of FIGS. 3A-3N .

將含有表示關於容器A之持有自持有者1轉移至持有者2之資訊的資料之一或多個記錄319儲存在分散式賬本中(步驟318)。步驟318中之儲存可由製造商或任何其他一方以在上文結合步驟310揭示的方式中之任一者執行。One or more records 319 containing information representing the transfer of possession of container A from Holder 1 to Holder 2 are stored in the distributed ledger (step 318). The storing in step 318 may be performed by the manufacturer or any other party in any of the ways disclosed above in connection with step 310 .

記錄319可含有多種資料中之任一者，諸如關於記錄311揭示的資料中之任一者，只不過記錄319中之資料可表示代表持有權自持有者1轉移至持有者2而非持有權自製造商轉移至持有者1的資料。Record 319 may contain any of a variety of information, such as any of the information disclosed about record 311, except that the information in record 319 may represent a transfer of ownership from Holder 1 to Holder 2. Information on transfer of non-holding rights from Manufacturer to Holder 1.

持有者2接受對容器A之持有(步驟320)。將含有表示關於持有者2接受對容器A之持有之資訊的資料之一或多個記錄322儲存在分散式賬本中(步驟321)。步驟321中之儲存可由持有者1或任何其他一方以在上文結合步驟313揭示的方式中之任一者執行。Holder 2 accepts possession of container A (step 320). One or more records 322 containing information representing information regarding holder 2's acceptance of possession of container A are stored in the distributed ledger (step 321). The storage in step 321 may be performed by Holder 1 or any other party in any of the ways disclosed above in connection with step 313 .

記錄322可含有多種資料中之任一者，諸如關於記錄314揭示的資料中之任一者，只不過記錄322中之資料可表示代表持有者2而非持有者1接受持有的資料。Record 322 may contain any of a variety of information, such as any of the information disclosed about record 314, except that the information in record 322 may represent information accepted on behalf of Holder 2 rather than Holder 1 .

可將儲存在外部資料庫記錄322中的資訊中之一些或全部儲存在容器A之CDM中，諸如儲存在CDM中之記錄324中或藉由以其他方式更新CDM (步驟323)。持有者2可例如以在上文結合步驟315揭示的方式中之任一者來執行步驟323。步驟323係可選的且可自圖3A至圖3N之方法省略，如在上文結合步驟306之可選性質所描述。Some or all of the information stored in external database record 322 may be stored in the CDM of container A, such as in record 324 in the CDM or by otherwise updating the CDM (step 323). Holder 2 may perform step 323 , for example, in any of the ways disclosed above in connection with step 315 . Step 323 is optional and may be omitted from the method of FIGS. 3A-3N , as described above in connection with the optional nature of step 306 .

持有者2將容器A之持有權轉移至持有者N (步驟325)。在實踐中，可能沒有任何持有者N。結果，步驟325及圖3A至圖3N中的標記為「持有者N」之泳道中示出的其他步驟係可選的且可自圖3A至圖3N之方法省略。在實踐中，可能有不止一個持有者N。結果，步驟325及在圖3A至圖3N中標記為「持有者N」的泳道中示出的其他步驟可執行多次，針對複數個持有者中之每一者執行一次。更一般地，圖3A至圖3N中標記為「持有者1」、「持有者2」及「持有者N」的泳道之意圖係說明：持有權可自製造商依次轉移至任何數目個(即，一或多個)其他地方，且圖3A至圖3N中的「持有者」泳道中之每一者中示出的步驟可針對每一此種持有者執行。Holder 2 transfers possession of container A to Holder N (step 325). In practice, there may not be any holder N. As a result, step 325 and other steps shown in the lane labeled "Holder N" in FIGS. 3A-3N are optional and can be omitted from the method of FIGS. 3A-3N . In practice, there may be more than one holder N. As a result, step 325 and other steps shown in the lane labeled "Holder N" in FIGS. 3A-3N may be performed multiple times, once for each of the plurality of holders. More generally, the intent of the swim lanes labeled "Holder 1," "Holder 2," and "Holder N" in FIGS. A number (ie, one or more) of others, and the steps shown in each of the "Holder" lanes in FIGS. 3A-3N may be performed for each such holder.

將含有表示關於容器A之持有權自持有者2轉移至持有者N的資訊之資料之一或多個記錄327儲存在外部資料庫中(步驟326)。步驟326中之儲存可由持有者N或任何其他一方以在上文結合步驟310揭示的方式中之任一者執行。One or more records 327 containing information representing the transfer of ownership of container A from holder 2 to holder N are stored in an external database (step 326). The storage in step 326 may be performed by holder N or any other party in any of the ways disclosed above in connection with step 310 .

記錄327可含有多種資料中之任一者，諸如關於記錄311揭示的資料中之任一者，只不過記錄327中之資料可表示代表持有權自持有者2轉移至持有者N而非持有權自製造商轉移至持有者1的資料。舉例而言，批發持有者可將容器之持有權轉移至零售持有者，或批發持有者可將持有權轉移至另一批發持有者。Record 327 may contain any of a variety of information, such as any of the information disclosed about record 311, except that the information in record 327 may represent the transfer of ownership from Holder 2 to Holder N and Information on transfer of non-holding rights from Manufacturer to Holder 1. For example, a wholesale holder may transfer possession of a container to a retail holder, or a wholesale holder may transfer possession to another wholesale holder.

持有者N接受對容器A之持有(步驟328)。將含有表示關於持有者N接受對容器A之持有的資訊之資料的一或多個記錄330儲存在外部資料庫中(步驟329)。步驟329中之儲存可由持有者N或任何其他一方以在上文結合步驟313揭示的方式中之任一者執行。Holder N accepts possession of container A (step 328). One or more records 330 containing data representing information regarding holder N's acceptance of possession of container A are stored in an external database (step 329). The storage in step 329 may be performed by holder N or any other party in any of the ways disclosed above in connection with step 313 .

記錄330可含有多種資料中之任一者，諸如關於記錄314揭示的資料中之任一者，只不過記錄330中之資料可表示代表持有者N而非持有者1接受持有的資料。Record 330 may contain any of a variety of information, such as any of the information disclosed with respect to record 314, except that the information in record 330 may represent information accepted to be held on behalf of Holder N rather than Holder 1 .

可將儲存在外部資料庫記錄30中的資訊中之一些或全部儲存在容器A之CDM中，諸如儲存在CDM中之記錄332中或藉由以其他方式更新CDM (步驟331)。持有者N可例如以在上文結合步驟315揭示的方式中之任一者來執行步驟331。步驟331係可選的且可自圖3A至圖3N之方法省略，如在上文結合步驟306之可選性質所描述。Some or all of the information stored in external database record 30 may be stored in the CDM of container A, such as in record 332 in the CDM or by otherwise updating the CDM (step 331 ). Holder N may perform step 331 , eg, in any of the ways disclosed above in connection with step 315 . Step 331 is optional and may be omitted from the method of FIGS. 3A-3N , as described above in connection with the optional nature of step 306 .

持有者N將容器A之持有權轉移至客戶或其他最終使用者，諸如容器之消費者或應用者(步驟333)。(為了便於解釋，在本文中使用術語「客戶」來指代獲得容器A之持有權且自容器A施用產品A的任何一方。) 若將持有者N自圖3A至圖3N之方法省略，則步驟333中之轉移係自容器A之最近持有者(例如，持有者1或持有者2)至客戶。Holder N transfers possession of container A to a client or other end user, such as a consumer or user of the container (step 333). (For ease of explanation, the term "customer" is used herein to refer to any party that acquires possession of container A and dispenses product A from container A.) If holder N is omitted from the method of FIGS. 3A-3N , The transfer in step 333 is then from the most recent holder of container A (eg, holder 1 or holder 2) to the client.

將含有表示關於容器A之持有自持有者N轉移至客戶之資訊的資料之一或多個記錄35儲存在分散式賬本中(步驟334)。步驟334中之儲存可由客戶或任何其他一方以在上文結合步驟310揭示的方式中之任一者執行。One or more records 35 containing information representing the transfer of possession of container A from holder N to customer are stored in the distributed ledger (step 334). The storing in step 334 may be performed by the customer or any other party in any of the ways disclosed above in connection with step 310 .

記錄335可含有多種資料中之任一者，諸如關於記錄311揭示的資料中之任一者，只不過記錄335中之資料可表示代表持有權自持有者N (或容器A之其他最近持有者)轉移至客戶而非持有權自製造商轉移至持有者1的資料。Record 335 may contain any of a variety of information, such as any of the information disclosed with respect to record 311, except that the information in record 335 may represent ownership rights from holder N (or other most recent Holder) to Customer instead of ownership transfer from Manufacturer to Holder1.

客戶接受對容器A之持有(步驟336)。將含有表示關於客戶接受對容器A之持有的資訊之資料的一或多個記錄338儲存在外部資料庫中(步驟337)。步驟337中之儲存可由客戶或任何其他一方以在上文結合步驟313揭示的方式中之任一者執行。The customer accepts possession of container A (step 336). One or more records 338 containing data representing information regarding the customer's acceptance of possession of container A are stored in the external database (step 337). The storing in step 337 may be performed by the customer or any other party in any of the ways disclosed above in connection with step 313 .

記錄338可含有多種資料中之任一者，諸如關於記錄314揭示的資料中之任一者，只不過記錄338中之資料可表示代表客戶而非持有者1接受持有的資料。Record 338 may contain any of a variety of data, such as any of the data disclosed with respect to record 314, except that the data in record 338 may represent data accepted to be held on behalf of the customer rather than Holder 1 .

可將儲存在外部資料庫記錄338中的資訊中之一些或全部儲存在容器A之CDM中，諸如儲存在CDM中之記錄340中或藉由以其他方式更新CDM (步驟339)。客戶可例如以在上文結合步驟315揭示的方式中之任一者來執行步驟339。步驟339係可選的且可自圖3A至圖3N之方法省略，如在上文結合步驟306之可選性質所描述。Some or all of the information stored in external database record 338 may be stored in the CDM of container A, such as in record 340 in the CDM or by otherwise updating the CDM (step 339). The client may perform step 339 , eg, in any of the ways disclosed above in connection with step 315 . Step 339 is optional and may be omitted from the method of FIGS. 3A-3N , as described above in connection with the optional nature of step 306 .

客戶消耗來自容器A之產品A中之一些或全部，諸如當本發明與施於土壤或施於植物的產品結合使用時，藉由將來自容器A之產品A中之一些或全部分配至田地(步驟341)，或當本發明用於追蹤最終使用者之燃料消耗時，簡單地藉由操作內燃機。將含有表示關於客戶對來自容器A之產品A的消耗之資訊的資料之一或多個記錄343儲存在分散式賬本中(步驟342)。步驟342中之儲存可由客戶或任何其他一方以在上文結合步驟304揭示的方式中之任一者執行。The customer consumes some or all of the product A from the container A, such as by distributing some or all of the product A from the container A to the field ( Step 341 ), or simply by operating the internal combustion engine when the invention is used to track fuel consumption by the end user. One or more records 343 containing data representing information about the customer's consumption of product A from container A are stored in the distributed ledger (step 342). The storing in step 342 may be performed by the customer or any other party in any of the ways disclosed above in connection with step 304 .

記錄343可以任何組合含有多種資料中之任一者，諸如表示以下各項中之任何一或多者的資料： ● 由外部資料庫項目表示之行動的類型，例如，「消耗行動」。 ● 容器A之唯一ID。 ● 在步驟341中進行消耗時容器A之持有者之唯一ID (例如，客戶之唯一ID)。 ● 產品A之唯一ID。 ● 在步驟341中消耗產品A時的批次、批、數量、日期、時間及位置。此資料可包括例如表示複數個位置處的來自容器A之產品A的複數次消耗(例如，分配)的資料，例如，呈施用地圖或帶地理標記的消耗記錄之形式，如本文中的其他地方所揭示。 Record 343 may contain any of a variety of data in any combination, such as data representing any one or more of the following: ● The type of action represented by the external database item, for example, "Consume Action". ● The unique ID of container A. • The unique ID of the holder of container A at the time of consumption in step 341 (eg, the customer's unique ID). ● The unique ID of product A. ● The batch, batch, quantity, date, time and location when product A was consumed in step 341. This data may include, for example, data representing multiple consumptions (e.g., dispenses) of product A from container A at multiple locations, for example, in the form of application maps or geo-tagged consumption records, as elsewhere herein revealed.

可將儲存在外部資料庫記錄343中的資訊中之一些或全部儲存在容器A之CDM中，諸如儲存在CDM中之記錄345中或藉由以其他方式更新CDM (步驟344)。客戶可例如以在上文結合步驟315揭示的方式中之任一者來執行步驟344。步驟344係可選的且可自圖3A至圖3N之方法省略，如在上文結合步驟306之可選性質所描述。Some or all of the information stored in external database record 343 may be stored in the CDM of container A, such as in record 345 in the CDM or by otherwise updating the CDM (step 344). The client may perform step 344 , for example, in any of the ways disclosed above in connection with step 315 . Step 344 is optional and may be omitted from the method of FIGS. 3A-3N , as described above in connection with the optional nature of step 306 .

若容器A為可退回容器(步驟346)，則圖3A至圖3N之方法可包括且執行步驟347至351。若容器A並非可退回容器，則圖3A至圖3N之方法不可包括或執行步驟347至351。If container A is a returnable container (step 346), the method of FIGS. 3A-3N may include and perform steps 347-351. If container A is not a returnable container, the method of FIGS. 3A-3N may not include or perform steps 347-351.

若容器A為可退回容器，則客戶將容器A之持有權轉移至容器A之先前持有者，諸如製造商、持有者1、持有者2或持有者N (步驟347)。為了便於說明及解釋，圖3A至圖3N顯示客戶將持有權轉移至製造商。然而，更一般地，客戶可藉由將容器A之持有權轉移至圖3A至圖3N中示出的任何一方(諸如持有者1或持有者2)來退回容器A。If container A is a returnable container, the customer transfers possession of container A to the previous holder of container A, such as manufacturer, holder 1, holder 2, or holder N (step 347). For ease of illustration and explanation, Figures 3A-3N show the transfer of title from the customer to the manufacturer. More generally, however, a customer may return container A by transferring possession of container A to any of the parties shown in FIGS. 3A-3N , such as Holder 1 or Holder 2 .

將含有表示關於容器A之持有權自客戶轉移至先前持有者(例如，製造商)之資訊的資料之一或多個記錄349儲存在分散式賬本中(步驟348)。步驟348中之儲存可由先前持有者或任何其他一方以在上文結合步驟310揭示的方式中之任一者執行。One or more records 349 containing information representing the transfer of possession of container A from the customer to the previous holder (eg, manufacturer) are stored in the distributed ledger (step 348). The storage in step 348 may be performed by the previous holder or any other party in any of the ways disclosed above in connection with step 310 .

記錄349可含有多種資料中之任一者，諸如關於記錄311揭示的資料中之任一者，只不過記錄349中之資料可表示代表持有權自客戶轉移至先前持有者(例如，製造商)而非持有權自製造商轉移至持有者1的資料。Record 349 may contain any of a variety of information, such as any of the information disclosed with respect to record 311, except that the information in record 349 may represent a transfer of ownership from a customer to a previous holder (e.g., manufacturing manufacturer) rather than ownership transfer from manufacturer to holder1.

先前持有者(例如，製造商)接受對容器A之持有(步驟350)。將含有表示關於先前持有者接受對容器A之持有之資訊的資料之一或多個記錄352儲存在分散式賬本中(步驟351)。步驟351中之儲存可由先前持有者或任何其他一方以在上文結合步驟313揭示的方式中之任一者執行。The previous holder (eg, the manufacturer) accepts possession of container A (step 350). One or more records 352 containing information representing the previous holder's acceptance of possession of container A are stored in the distributed ledger (step 351 ). The storage in step 351 may be performed by the previous holder or any other party in any of the ways disclosed above in connection with step 313 .

記錄352可含有多種資料中之任一者，諸如關於記錄314揭示的資料中之任一者，只不過記錄352中之資料可表示代表客戶而非持有者1接受持有的資料。Record 352 may contain any of a variety of information, such as any of the information disclosed with respect to record 314, except that the information in record 352 may represent information accepted to be held on behalf of the customer rather than Holder 1 .

無論容器A是否可退回(即，圖3A至圖3N之方法是否執行步驟347至351)，圖3A至圖3N之方法產生與容器A相關的可在外部資料庫中獲得之已鑑別資料的最終報告，諸如用於碳信用確證之目的。最終報告可以任何組合包括多種資訊，諸如以下各項中之任何一或多者： ● 對在容器A之監管鏈中之每一階段的容器A之持有者保持一致的指示及/或確認。舉例而言，若外部資料庫指示容器A之持有權自持有者1轉移至持有者2，然後自持有者2轉移至持有者N，則報告將指示該等持有者保持一致，而若外部資料庫指示容器A之持有權自製造商轉移至持有者1，然後自持有者2轉移至持有者N，則報告將指示該等持有者未保持一致。 ● 對儲存在容器A中之產品的類型在整個容器A之歷史中保持一致的指示及/或確認。舉例而言，若外部資料庫指示容器A充滿產品A，然後在稍後時間指示容器A含有產品B，但沒有任何記錄指示容器A充滿產品B，則報告將指示儲存在容器A中之產品的類型未保持一致。 ● 對施用設備所報告的所施用之產品A的量與農學家的處方相匹配(參見下文之圖4A至圖4P)的指示及/或確認。 ● 對施用設備所報告的施用之地理定位與農學家的處方之地理邊界相匹配(參見下文之圖4A至圖4P)的指示及/或確認。 Regardless of whether container A is returnable (i.e., whether the method of FIGS. 3A-3N performs steps 347-351), the method of FIGS. Reporting, such as for carbon credit verification purposes. The final report may include information in any combination, such as any one or more of the following: ● Maintain consistent instructions and/or confirmations for the holder of Container A at each stage in Container A's chain of custody. For example, if the external database indicates that possession of Container A is transferred from Holder 1 to Holder 2, and then from Holder 2 to Holder N, the report will instruct those holders to keep Consistent, whereas if the external database indicates that possession of container A was transferred from Manufacturer to Holder 1 and then from Holder 2 to Holder N, the report will indicate that the holders are not consistent. • An indication and/or confirmation that the type of product stored in container A is consistent throughout the history of container A. For example, if an external database indicates that container A is full of product A, and then at a later time indicates that container A contains product B, but there are no records indicating that container A is full of product B, the report will indicate the Types are not consistent. • Indication and/or confirmation that the amount of Product A applied as reported by the application equipment matches the agronomist's prescription (see Figures 4A-4P below). • Indication and/or confirmation that the geographic location of the application reported by the application equipment matches the geographic boundaries of the agronomist's prescription (see Figures 4A-4P below).

圖3A至圖3N之方法可用於以多種方式中之任一者來確證碳信用實踐。舉例而言，若在圖3A至圖3N之方法期間或之後，不能滿足以下條件中之任一者，則不能確認滿足了碳信用之條件： ● 所使用的經驗證產品必須等於來自製造商之賬本項目。 ● 所使用的量必須小於或等於、不大於監管鏈驗證的量。 ● 施用設備不能施用超過製造商及持有者最初保持且識別的產品。 ● 產品使用的地理定位必須與處方的施用位置之地理邊界相匹配。 The methods of FIGS. 3A-3N can be used to validate carbon credit practices in any of a variety of ways. For example, if any of the following conditions cannot be met during or after the method of FIGS. 3A-3N , then the conditions for carbon credits cannot be confirmed to be met: ● The verified product used must be equal to the book item from the manufacturer. ● The amount used must be less than or equal to, but not greater than, the amount verified by the chain of custody. ● Application equipment cannot apply more product than is originally maintained and identified by the manufacturer and holder. ● The geographic location of product use must match the geographic boundaries of where the prescription will be administered.

本發明之實施例可使用電腦實施之方法及/或系統來判定此等條件是否自動滿足，且由此全部或部分地確證碳信用實踐。舉例而言，電腦實施之方法及/或系統可基於外部資料庫之內容來判定以上條件中之一或多者是否得到滿足。若判定以上條件中之一或多者未得到滿足，則方法及/或系統可得出結論：碳信用得不到保證。作為特定額外實例，方法及/或系統可： ● 識別外部資料庫中的指示用特定產品填充容器之操作的複數個記錄，且計算在此等填充操作中填充之產品的量之總和，以產生當前在容器中之特定產品之當前量的第一量測值。 ● 識別容器中之特定產品之當前量的第二量測值，諸如藉由識別外部資料庫中的指示容器中之特定產品之當前量的記錄，或藉由量測與外部資料庫之內容無關的容器中之特定產品之當前量(例如，藉由對容器稱重)。 ● 判定當前在容器中之特定產品之當前量的第一量測值是否與當前在容器中之特定產品之當前量的第二量測值足夠相似。作為一個實例，若第一及第二量測值彼此相等，或若該等量測值彼此相差不超過某一預定量或某一預定百分比，則可認為第一及第二量測值彼此足夠相似。 ● 若判定第一及第二量測值彼此不夠相似，則得出結論：碳信用得不到保證。 Embodiments of the invention may use computer-implemented methods and/or systems to determine whether such conditions are automatically met, and thereby validate carbon crediting practices in whole or in part. For example, a computer-implemented method and/or system may determine whether one or more of the above conditions are met based on the content of an external database. If it is determined that one or more of the above conditions have not been met, the method and/or system may conclude that the carbon credits are not guaranteed. As specific additional examples, methods and/or systems may: ● Identifying a plurality of records in an external database that indicate operations of filling containers with a particular product, and summing the quantities of products filled in those filling operations to produce the first number of current quantities of the particular product currently in the container A measured value. ● A second measurement that identifies the current amount of a particular product in the container, such as by identifying a record in an external database that indicates the current amount of a particular product in the container, or by measuring that is independent of the contents of the external database The current amount of a particular product in a container (for example, by weighing the container). ● Determining whether the first measurement of the current amount of the particular product currently in the container is sufficiently similar to the second measurement of the current amount of the particular product currently in the container. As an example, the first and second measurements may be considered sufficient for each other if the first and second measurements are equal to each other, or if the measurements do not differ from each other by more than some predetermined amount or some predetermined percentage. resemblance. ● If it is determined that the first and second measurements are not sufficiently similar to each other, it is concluded that carbon credits are not guaranteed.

參考圖4A至圖4P，展示出根據本發明之另一實施例的用於確證碳信用合格活動之方法的泳道圖。圖4A至圖4P之方法為圖3A至圖3N之方法的實例用例且僅作為實例呈現以幫助理解本發明而非限製本發明。圖4A至圖4P中的列中之每一者對應於特定行動者且展示彼行動者採取之行動。特別地，圖4A至圖4P之圖含有對應於以下行動者之列： ● 產品(例如，合成氮肥或固氮作物投入物)之製造商； ● 該產品之零售商； ● 該產品之農民(或其他消費者)； ● 為使用該產品製定處方之農學家； ● 用於追蹤與一或多個容器相關的資料之產品使用資料追蹤系統(諸如可自AMVAC化學公司獲得的Ultimus系統)，諸如填充至容器中及自容器分配之產品的類型及量； ● 外部資料庫(諸如分散式賬本，例如，區塊鏈)，其包括可寫入至外部資料庫及自外部資料庫讀取的一或多個電腦系統；及 ● 容器之容器資料模組(CDM) (例如，RFID標籤)。 Referring to FIG. 4A to FIG. 4P , there are shown swim lane diagrams of a method for confirming carbon credit eligible activities according to another embodiment of the present invention. The method of FIGS. 4A-4P is an example use case of the method of FIGS. 3A-3N and is presented as an example only to aid understanding of the present invention and not to limit the present invention. Each of the columns in FIGS. 4A-4P corresponds to a particular actor and shows the actions taken by that actor. In particular, the graphs of Figures 4A-4P contain columns corresponding to the following actors: ● Manufacturers of products (eg, synthetic nitrogen fertilizers or nitrogen-fixing crop inputs); ● The retailer of the product; ● farmers (or other consumers) of the product; ● the agronomist who prescribes the product; ● A product usage data tracking system (such as the Ultimus system available from AMVAC Chemical Company) for tracking data related to one or more containers, such as the type and amount of product filled into and dispensed from the container; ● external databases (such as distributed ledgers, e.g., blockchains), which include one or more computer systems that can write to and read from external databases; and ● Container Data Module (CDM) for containers (eg, RFID tags).

產品使用資料追蹤系統可以多種方式中之任一者來實施。舉例而言，該追蹤系統可包括軟體系統，該軟體系統可經由一或多個網路(例如，作為軟體即服務(SaaS)產品)自一或多個計算裝置存取。關於容器及/或填充至容器中及/或自容器施用之產品的資料可由產品使用資料追蹤系統儲存在遠離容器之一或多個位置處，諸如儲存在遠離容器之一或多個伺服器上。產品使用追蹤系統可包括一或多個電腦及在含有產品之容器本端的其他裝置，諸如施用產品之施用設備上之電腦，且該電腦能夠自與容器相關聯(例如，含於容器內或耦接至容器)的容器資料模組(CDM) (例如，RFID標籤)讀取資料且將資料寫入至該容器資料模組。每一此種電腦可包括合適的客戶端軟體，以使電腦能夠充當經由網路與產品使用資料追蹤系統之一或多個伺服器通信的客戶端。作為一特定實例，RFID掃描軟體可在手持計算裝置上執行，該手持計算裝置可自與容器相關聯的CDM (例如，RFID標籤)讀取資料，且經由網路將彼資料傳輸至產品使用資料追蹤系統之伺服器，該伺服器可自容器遠端地儲存彼資料。A product usage data tracking system can be implemented in any of a variety of ways. For example, the tracking system can include a software system accessible from one or more computing devices via one or more networks (eg, as a software-as-a-service (SaaS) product). Information about the container and/or the product filled into and/or administered from the container may be stored by the product usage data tracking system at one or more locations remote from the container, such as on one or more servers remote from the container . A product usage tracking system may include one or more computers and other devices local to the container containing the product, such as a computer on an applicator that dispenses the product, and the computer can be self-associated with the container (e.g., contained within or coupled to the container) A container data module (CDM) (eg, RFID tag) connected to the container) reads and writes data to the container data module. Each such computer may include suitable client software to enable the computer to act as a client communicating over a network with one or more servers of the product usage data tracking system. As a specific example, RFID scanning software can be executed on a handheld computing device that can read data from a CDM (e.g., RFID tag) associated with a container and transmit that data over a network to product usage data The server of the tracking system, which can store the data remotely from the container.

方法可開始(步驟401)且包括以下各項： ● 製造商製造產品A (步驟402)。 ● 製造商將一定量之產品A轉移至容器A (即，用一定量之產品A填充容器A) (步驟403)。 ● 產品使用資料追蹤系統以任何組合識別資料，諸如以下各項中之任何一或多者：容器A之唯一ID、產品A之唯一ID、產品A之批次ID、產品A之批ID、在步驟403中轉移至容器A之產品A的數量、在步驟403中將產品A轉移至容器A時的日期、在步驟403中將產品A轉移至容器A時的時間及在步驟403中將產品A轉移至容器A時的位置(步驟404)。 The method may begin (step 401) and include the following: ● Manufacturer manufactures product A (step 402). ● The manufacturer transfers an amount of product A to container A (ie, fills container A with an amount of product A) (step 403). ● The product usage data tracking system identifies data in any combination, such as any one or more of the following: container A unique ID, product A unique ID, product A batch ID, product A batch ID, The quantity of product A transferred to container A in step 403, the date when product A was transferred to container A in step 403, the time when product A was transferred to container A in step 403, and the time when product A was transferred to container A in step 403 Position when transferred to container A (step 404).

產品使用資料追蹤系統產生含有表示用產品A填充容器A之資料的外部資料庫項目406 (步驟405)，且使外部資料庫項目406儲存在外部資料庫中。外部資料庫項目可例如以任何組合含有表示以下各項中之任何一或多者的資料： ● 由外部資料庫表示之行動的類型，例如，「容器啟動行動」。 ● 容器A之唯一ID。 ● 在步驟403中進行填充時容器A之持有者之唯一ID。 ● 產品A之唯一ID。 ● 上述之批次、批、數量、日期、時間及位置資料。 The product usage data tracking system generates an external database item 406 containing data representing filling container A with product A (step 405), and causes the external database item 406 to be stored in the external database. External database items may, for example, contain data representing any one or more of the following, in any combination: ● The type of action represented by the external database, for example, "container start action". ● The unique ID of container A. • The unique ID of the holder of container A at the time of filling in step 403. ● The unique ID of product A. ● The above batch, lot, quantity, date, time and location information.

產品使用資料追蹤系統可在容器A之CDM中儲存含有在步驟405中儲存在外部資料庫項目中的資料中之一些或全部的記錄408 (步驟407)。The product usage data tracking system may store a record 408 in the CDM of container A containing some or all of the data stored in the external database item in step 405 (step 407).

農民與農學家及/或零售商就農民對產品A之需求進行互動(步驟409)。農學家建立電子處方(亦被稱為產品需求檔案)，該電子處方定義特定產品應在特定農業田地(例如，形狀檔案)之邊界內應用的位置及速率或對產品A之需求之文件製作(步驟410)。農學家將處方上載(例如，經由已鑑別登錄)至產品使用資料追蹤系統(步驟411)。該處方可以任何組合包括例如以下各項中之任何一或多者：田地之地理邊界的界定；該處方規定的一或多種產品中之每一者的唯一產品ID (例如，產品A之產品ID)；施用速率；及作物之ID。The farmer interacts with the agronomist and/or the retailer regarding the farmer's needs for product A (step 409). An agronomist creates an electronic prescription (also known as a product demand profile) that defines where and at what rate a particular product should be applied within the boundaries of a particular agricultural field (e.g., a shape file) or documentation of the demand for Product A ( Step 410). The agronomist uploads (eg, via authenticated login) the prescription to the product usage data tracking system (step 411). The prescription may include, in any combination, any one or more of, for example: the definition of the geographic boundaries of the field; a unique product ID for each of the one or more products specified by the prescription (e.g., product ID ); the rate of application; and the ID of the crop.

產品使用資料追蹤系統接收處方(步驟412)；建立外部資料庫項目414，該外部資料庫項目含有其中所含的資訊中之一些或全部(加上由外部資料庫項目表示之行動的類型之指示，例如，「產品需求行動」) (步驟413)；且將外部資料庫項目14儲存在外部資料庫中。產品使用資料追蹤系統以任何組合計算以下各項中之一或多者的增強處方檔案容器(步驟415)： ● 將施用產品A的英畝數； ● 所需產品的量；及 ● 儲存產品A所需之容器的數目。 The product usage data tracking system receives the prescription (step 412); creates an external database entry 414 containing some or all of the information contained therein (plus an indication of the type of action represented by the external database entry , for example, "product demand action") (step 413); and store the external database item 14 in the external database. The product usage tracking system calculates an enhanced prescription file container for one or more of the following in any combination (step 415): ● The number of acres on which Product A will be applied; ● Quantity of product required; and ● The number of containers required to store Product A.

產品使用資料追蹤系統建立外部資料庫項目417，該外部資料庫項目含有增強處方檔案中的資料中之一些或全部(加上由外部資料庫項目表示之行動的類型之指示，例如，「產品需求行動」) (步驟416)，且將外部資料庫項目417儲存在外部資料庫中。The product usage data tracking system creates an external database item 417 that contains some or all of the data in the enhanced prescription file (plus an indication of the type of action represented by the external database item, e.g., "Product Request action") (step 416), and the external database item 417 is stored in the external database.

農學家自產品使用資料追蹤系統接收增強處方檔案(步驟418)。零售商自產品使用資料追蹤系統接收：增強處方檔案的通知；所需肥料的數量；及儲存規定數量之肥料所需的容器之數量(步驟419)。零售商向製造商訂購該數目個預填充有產品A之帶標容器(步驟420)。製造商接收零售商對帶標容器之請求(步驟421)，且作為回應，將帶標容器A之持有/監管轉移至零售商(步驟422)，且將帶標容器A運送至零售商(步驟426)。零售商接受帶標容器A之持有/監管(步驟427)。The agronomist receives the enhanced prescription profile from the product usage data tracking system (step 418). The retailer receives from the product usage tracking system: a notification to enhance the prescription file; the quantity of fertilizer required; and the quantity of containers required to store the specified quantity of fertilizer (step 419). The retailer orders the number of labeled containers pre-filled with Product A from the manufacturer (step 420). The manufacturer receives the retailer's request for a labeled container (step 421), and in response, transfers possession/custody of the labeled container A to the retailer (step 422), and ships the labeled container A to the retailer ( Step 426). Retailer accepts possession/custody of labeled container A (step 427).

一旦產品使用資料追蹤系統了解在容器A之持有/監管轉移至零售商之後的容器A之位置及持有者(步驟423) (諸如藉由使用一裝置(例如，手持式或安裝至入口或例如建築物或車輛上或內的諸多位置)，該裝置能夠自容器A之CDM進行讀取、寫入或一般通信)，產品使用資料追蹤系統即建立含有關於容器A之監管鏈之資訊的外部資料庫項目425，諸如指示容器A之持有權自製造商轉移至零售商的資料，及由分散式賬本項目425表示之行動的指示，例如，「監管鏈行動」(步驟424)。產品使用資料追蹤系統亦可用外部資料庫項目425中所含的資訊中之一些或全部來更新容器A之CDM，從而在容器A之CDM中建立記錄。Once the product usage tracking system knows the location and holder of container A after possession/custody of container A is transferred to the retailer (step 423) (such as by using a device (e.g., hand-held or mounted to an entrance or such as locations on or within a building or vehicle), the device is capable of reading, writing, or generally communicating from the CDM of container A), the product usage data tracking system establishes an external A database item 425, such as data indicating the transfer of possession of container A from the manufacturer to the retailer, and an indication of the action represented by the distributed ledger item 425, eg, "Chain of Custody Action" (step 424). The product usage data tracking system may also update container A's CDM with some or all of the information contained in external database entry 425, thereby creating a record in container A's CDM.

零售商接受容器A之持有/監管(步驟427)。一旦產品使用資料追蹤系統了解在零售商接受容器A之持有/監管之後的容器A之位置及持有者(步驟428)，產品使用資料追蹤系統即建立含有關於容器A之監管鏈之資訊的外部資料庫項目430，諸如指示零售商已確認對容器A之監管的資料，及由外部資料庫項目430表示之行動的指示，例如，「監管鏈行動」(步驟429)。The retailer accepts possession/custody of container A (step 427). Once the usage tracking system knows the location and owner of container A after the retailer accepts possession/custody of container A (step 428), the usage tracking system builds a database containing information about the chain of custody of container A External database entry 430, such as data indicating that the retailer has confirmed custody of container A, and an indication of the action represented by external database entry 430, eg, "chain of custody action" (step 429).

零售商將容器A之持有/監管轉移至農民(步驟433)。一旦產品使用資料追蹤系統了解在農民接受容器A之持有/監管之後的容器A之位置及持有者(步驟434)，產品使用資料追蹤系統即建立含有關於容器A之監管鏈之資訊的外部資料庫項目436，諸如指示零售商已將容器A之持有/監管轉移至農民的資料，及由外部資料庫項目436表示之行動的指示，例如，「監管鏈行動」(步驟435)。產品使用資料追蹤系統亦可用外部資料庫項目436中的資訊中之一些或全部來更新容器A之CDM，從而在容器A之CDM中建立記錄38 (步驟437)。The retailer transfers possession/custody of container A to the farmer (step 433). Once the usage tracking system knows the location and owner of container A after the farmer accepts possession/custody of container A (step 434), the usage tracking system builds an external database containing information about the chain of custody of container A Database entry 436, such as information indicating that the retailer has transferred possession/custody of container A to the farmer, and an indication of an action represented by an external database entry 436, eg, "Chain of Custody Action" (step 435). The product usage data tracking system may also update container A's CDM with some or all of the information in external database entry 436, thereby creating record 38 in container A's CDM (step 437).

零售商將容器A遞送至農民(步驟439)。農民接受容器A之持有/監管(步驟440)。農民將容器A安裝在施用設備上且鑑別容器A (步驟441)。農學家或農民將增強處方檔案上載至施用設備(步驟442)。The retailer delivers container A to the farmer (step 439). Farmer accepts possession/custody of container A (step 440). The farmer installs container A on the application equipment and authenticates container A (step 441). The agronomist or farmer uploads the enhanced prescription file to the application device (step 442).

農民施用或消耗容器A中之產品A (步驟443)。農民之施用設備(例如，種植機)用關於步驟443中的產品A之施用/消耗的資訊自動地更新容器A之CDM，諸如藉由以任何組合將以下各項中之任何一或多者儲存在容器A之CDM中，從而在容器A之CDM中建立記錄445：施用速率、施用之產品、經度及緯度、日期及時間。農民之施用設備將記錄445中的資料中之一些或全部(及由彼資料表示之行動的指示，例如，「產品消耗行動」)儲存在外部資料庫中之項目446中。The farmer applies or consumes product A in container A (step 443). The farmer's application equipment (e.g., planter) automatically updates the CDM of container A with information about the application/consumption of product A in step 443, such as by storing any one or more of the following in any combination In Container A's CDM, create a record 445 in Container A's CDM: Application Rate, Product Applied, Longitude and Latitude, Date and Time. The farmer's applicator stores some or all of the data in record 445 (and an indication of the action represented by that data, eg, "Product Consumption Action") in entry 446 in the external database.

若容器A可退回(步驟447a)，則圖4A至圖4P之方法進行至步驟447b，其中農民將容器A之持有/監管轉移至零售商(步驟447b)；否則，方法結束(步驟467)。If container A is returnable (step 447a), the method of FIGS. 4A-4P proceeds to step 447b, where the farmer transfers possession/custody of container A to the retailer (step 447b); otherwise, the method ends (step 467) .

若容器A可退回，則零售商接受容器A之持有/監管(步驟448)。一旦產品使用資料追蹤系統了解在零售商接受持有/監管之後的容器A之位置及持有者(步驟449)，產品使用資料追蹤系統即建立含有關於容器A之監管鏈之資訊的外部資料庫項目451，諸如指示零售商已確認容器A之持有的資料、農民之唯一ID、指示農民已將容器A退回至零售商的資料、產品ID之唯一ID、容器A中的退回之產品A之量及由外部資料庫項目451表示之行動的指示，例如，「監管鏈行動」(步驟450)。If container A is returnable, the retailer accepts possession/custody of container A (step 448). Once the usage tracking system knows the location and holder of container A after the retailer has accepted possession/custody (step 449), the usage tracking system builds an external database containing information about the chain of custody of container A Item 451, such as information indicating that the retailer has confirmed possession of container A, unique ID of the farmer, information indicating that the farmer has returned container A to the retailer, unique ID of product ID, ID of returned product A in container A Quantities and indications of actions represented by external database entries 451, for example, "Chain of Custody Actions" (step 450).

零售商將容器A之持有/監管轉移至製造商(步驟456)。製造商接受容器A之持有/監管(步驟457)。一旦產品使用資料追蹤系統了解在零售商將容器A之持有/監管轉移至製造商之後的容器A之位置及持有者(步驟458)，產品使用資料追蹤系統即建立含有關於容器A之監管鏈之資訊的外部資料庫項目460，諸如指示零售商已將容器A之持有/監管轉移至製造商的資料，及由分散式賬本項目460表示之行動的指示，例如，「監管鏈行動」(步驟459)。The retailer transfers possession/custody of container A to the manufacturer (step 456). The manufacturer accepts possession/custody of container A (step 457). Once the usage tracking system understands the location and owner of container A after the retailer transfers possession/custody of container A to the manufacturer (step 458), the usage tracking system establishes the External database item 460 of chain information, such as information indicating that the retailer has transferred possession/custody of container A to the manufacturer, and an indication of the action represented by the distributed ledger item 460, e.g., "Chain of Custody Action" (step 459).

製造商執行容器退回程序(步驟461)，該容器退回程序可以任何組合包括以下步驟中之任何一或多者(步驟462)： ● 讀取器讀取容器A之CDM，且確認所施用之產品的量(例如，藉由使用實體秤對容器A稱重且將所得重量與由容器A之CDM中之資料指示的重量進行比較)。 ● 全球資訊系統(GIS) (例如，在施用設備上)基於容器A之CDM中之資料來建立且確認自容器A施用產品A的位置(例如，緯度及經度)。 ● 將自容器A施用產品A的位置(基於容器A之CDM中之資料)與在處方中識別出的預期田地之GEO位置進行比較。 ● 使用容器A之CDM中的農民ID來確認使用容器A之農民。 ● 基於容器A之CDM中的資料來確認來自容器A之產品的施用日期及時間。 The manufacturer executes a container return procedure (step 461), which may include any one or more of the following steps in any combination (step 462): ● The reader reads the CDM of container A and confirms the amount of product applied (e.g., by weighing container A using a physical scale and comparing the resulting weight to the weight indicated by the data in container A's CDM ). • A Global Information System (GIS) (eg, at the application facility) builds and identifies the location (eg, latitude and longitude) of Product A being applied from Container A based on the data in Container A's CDM. ● Compare the location where Product A is applied from Container A (based on information in Container A's CDM) to the GEO location of the intended field identified in the prescription. ● Use the farmer ID in the CDM of container A to identify the farmer using container A. ● Confirm the date and time of application of the product from container A based on the information in the CDM for container A.

產品使用資料追蹤系統追蹤、儲存且報告所有使用資料(步驟463)。舉例而言，來自容器A之CDM之資料可在容器A之本端捕獲(例如，使用手持式RFID掃描儀)，然後經由網路傳輸至遠端伺服器(除了其他資料之外，諸如自秤讀取容器A之重量)，該遠端伺服器遠離容器A儲存彼資料。The product usage data tracking system tracks, stores and reports all usage data (step 463). For example, data from the CDM of container A can be captured locally at container A (e.g., using a handheld RFID scanner) and then transmitted over the network to a remote server (among other data, such as self-scale read the weight of container A), the remote server stores that data away from container A.

產品使用資料追蹤系統建立外部資料庫項目65，該項目含有指示製造商已確認產品使用的資料(步驟464)。The product usage data tracking system creates an external database entry 65 containing data indicating that the manufacturer has confirmed product usage (step 464).

產品使用資料追蹤系統產生最終報告，該報告指示已鑑別資料係可用的(步驟466)。方法結束(步驟467)。The product usage data tracking system generates a final report indicating that authenticated data is available (step 466). The method ends (step 467).

將理解，儘管已經在上文根據特定實施例對本發明進行描述，但前述實施例僅說明性地提供，且限製或限定本發明之範疇。包括但不限於以下各種的各種其他實施例亦在申請專利範圍之範疇內。舉例而言，本文中描述的元件及組件可進一步劃分為額外組件，或結合在一起以形成更少組件以用於執行相同功能。It will be understood that, while the invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, the foregoing embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and limit or define the scope of the invention. Various other embodiments including but not limited to the following are also within the scope of the patent application. For example, elements and components described herein may be further divided into additional components, or combined together to form fewer components for performing the same function.

本文中揭示的功能中之任一者可使用用於執行彼等功能之構件來實施。此等構件包括但不限於本文中揭示的組件中之任一者，諸如下文所述之電腦相關組件。Any of the functions disclosed herein can be implemented using means for performing those functions. Such components include, but are not limited to, any of the components disclosed herein, such as the computer-related components described below.

上述技術可例如用硬體、有形地儲存在一或多個電腦可讀媒體上的一或多個電腦程式、韌體或其任何組合來實施。上述技術可在一或多個電腦程式中實施，該一或多個電腦程式在可程式化電腦上執行(或可由可程式化電腦執行)，該可程式化電腦包括任何數目個以下各項之任何組合：處理器、可由處理器讀取及/或寫入之儲存媒體(包括例如揮發性及非揮發性記憶體及/或儲存元件)、輸入裝置及輸出裝置。程式碼可應用於使用輸入裝置輸入的輸入，以執行所描述的功能且使用輸出裝置產生輸出。The techniques described above may be implemented, for example, in hardware, one or more computer programs, firmware, or any combination thereof tangibly stored on one or more computer-readable media. The techniques described above can be implemented in one or more computer programs that execute on (or can be executed by) a programmable computer that includes any number of In any combination: a processor, a storage medium readable and/or writable by the processor (including, for example, volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), input devices, and output devices. Code may be applied to input entered using the input devices to perform the functions described and to generate output using the output devices.

本發明之實施例包括僅藉由使用一或多個電腦、電腦處理器及/或電腦系統之其他元件實施而變得可能及/或可行的特徵。此等特徵不可能或無法在精神上及/或手動地實施。舉例而言，本發明之實施例可讀取資料及將資料寫入至電子記憶體裝置(諸如RFID標籤)及/或分散式賬本(諸如區塊鏈)，分散式賬本(諸如區塊鏈)係無法在精神上或手動地執行之功能。Embodiments of the invention include features that are only possible and/or feasible through implementation using one or more computers, computer processors, and/or other elements of a computer system. These features are impossible or impossible to implement mentally and/or manually. For example, embodiments of the present invention can read and write data to electronic memory devices (such as RFID tags) and/or distributed ledgers (such as blockchains), distributed ledgers (such as blockchains) A function that cannot be performed mentally or manually.

肯定需要電腦、處理器、記憶體或類似的電腦相關元件的本文中之任何請求項意圖需要此等元件，且不應被解釋為好像此等元件不存在於此等請求項中或不被此等請求項需要。此等請求項不欲且不應被解釋為涵蓋缺少所述電腦相關元件的方法及/或系統。舉例而言，記載所主張方法係由電腦、處理器、記憶體及/或類似的電腦相關元件來執行的本文中之任何方法請求項意圖且僅應被解釋為涵蓋由列舉的電腦相關元件執行的方法。此方法請求項不應被解釋為例如涵蓋在精神上或用手(例如，使用鉛筆及紙)執行之方法。類似地，記載所主張產品包括電腦、處理器、記憶體及/或類似的電腦相關元件的本文中之任何產品請求項意圖且僅應被解釋為涵蓋包括列舉的電腦相關元件之產品。舉例而言，不應將此種產品請求項解釋為涵蓋不包括列舉的電腦相關元件之產品。Any claims herein that affirmatively require a computer, processor, memory, or similar computer-related element are intended to require such element and should not be construed as if such element were not present in such claim or not covered by such element. Wait for the request item to be needed. These claims are not intended and should not be construed to cover methods and/or systems lacking such computer-related components. For example, any method claim herein stating that the claimed method is performed by a computer, processor, memory, and/or similar computer-related components is intended and should only be construed to cover performance by the recited computer-related components Methods. This method claim should not be interpreted, for example, to cover methods performed mentally or manually (eg, using pencil and paper). Similarly, any product claim item herein that states that the claimed product includes a computer, processor, memory, and/or similar computer-related components is intended and should only be construed to cover products that include the recited computer-related components. For example, such product claims should not be construed to cover products that do not include the listed computer-related components.

在以下申請專利範圍之範疇內的每一電腦程式可用任何程式設計語言來實施，程式設計語言諸如組合語言、機器語言、高階程序程式設計語言或物件導向程式設計語言。程式設計語言可例如為編譯或解譯的程式設計語言。Each computer program within the scope of the following claims may be implemented in any programming language, such as assembly language, machine language, high-level programming language, or object-oriented programming language. The programming language may be, for example, a compiled or interpreted programming language.

每一此種電腦程式可在電腦程式產品中實施，該電腦程式產品有形地體現在機器可讀儲存裝置中以供電腦處理器執行。本發明之方法步驟可由一或多個電腦處理器執行，該一或多個電腦處理器執行有形地體現在電腦可讀媒體上之程式以藉由對輸入進行操作且產生輸出來執行本發明之功能。舉例說明，合適的處理器包括通用微處理器及專用微處理器兩者。通常，處理器自記憶體(諸如唯讀記憶體及/或隨機存取記憶體)接收(讀取)指令及資料，且將指令及資料寫入(儲存)至記憶體。適用於有形地體現電腦程式指令及資料之儲存裝置包括例如所有形式的非揮發性記憶體，諸如半導體記憶體裝置，包括EPROM、EEPROM及快閃記憶體裝置；磁碟，諸如內部硬碟及可移動磁盤；磁光盤；及CD-ROM。前述內容中之任一點可由專門設計的ASIC (特殊應用積體電路)或FPGA (現場可程式化閘陣列)來補充或合併。電腦通常亦可自諸如內部磁盤(未示出)或可移動磁盤之非暫時性電腦可讀儲存媒體接收(讀取)程式及資料，且將程式及資料寫入(儲存)至該非暫時性電腦可讀媒體。此等元件亦可在習知桌上型電腦或工作站電腦以及適合於執行實施本文中描述之方法的電腦程式的其他電腦中找到，該等電腦可與能夠在紙張、膠片、顯示螢幕或其他輸出媒體上產生彩色或灰階像素的任何數位列印引擎或標記引擎、顯示監視器或其他光柵輸出裝置一起使用。Each such computer program may be implemented in a computer program product tangibly embodied in a machine-readable storage device for execution by a computer processor. Method steps of the invention may be performed by one or more computer processors executing a program tangibly embodied on a computer-readable medium to perform the methods of the invention by operating on inputs and generating outputs Function. Suitable processors include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors. Generally, a processor receives (reads) instructions and data from, and writes (stores) instructions and data to, memory, such as ROM and/or RAM. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data include, for example, all forms of non-volatile memory, such as semiconductor memory devices, including EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard drives and memory Removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROMs. Any of the foregoing can be supplemented or combined by a specially designed ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). A computer can also typically receive (read) programs and data from, and write (store) programs and data to, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as an internal disk (not shown) or a removable disk readable media. These elements may also be found in conventional desktop or workstation computers and other computers suitable for executing computer programs for carrying out the methods described herein, which can be combined with the For use with any digital print engine or marking engine, display monitor, or other raster output device that produces color or grayscale pixels on any media.

本文中揭示的任何資料可以例如有形地儲存在非暫時性電腦可讀媒體上之一或多種資料結構來實施。本發明之實施例可以此類資料結構來儲存此類資料且自此類資料結構讀取此類資料。Any material disclosed herein may be implemented, for example, tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium in one or more data structures. Embodiments of the invention may store such data in such data structures and read such data from such data structures.

本文中揭示的由電腦或其他機器執行或能夠由電腦或其他機器執行之任何步驟或動作可由電腦或其他機器自動地執行，無論本文中是否明確地揭示。自動執行之步驟或動作僅由電腦或其他機器執行，無需人工干預。自動執行之步驟或動作可例如僅對自電腦或其他機器而非自人類接收到的輸入進行操作。自動執行之步驟或動作可例如由自電腦或其他機器而非自人類接收到的信號來起始。自動執行之步驟或動作可例如將輸出提供至電腦或其他機器，而不提供至人類。Any step or action disclosed herein that is or can be performed by a computer or other machine can be automatically performed by the computer or other machine, whether or not explicitly disclosed herein. Automatically performed steps or actions are performed solely by a computer or other machine without human intervention. A step or action performed automatically may, for example, operate solely on input received from a computer or other machine rather than from a human being. A step or action performed automatically can be initiated, for example, by a signal received from a computer or other machine rather than from a human being. A step or action performed automatically can, for example, provide output to a computer or other machine rather than to a human being.

本揭示內容之各種實施例中所用的術語「A或B」、「A或/及B中之至少一者」、「A及B中之至少一者」、「A或B中之至少一者」或「A或/及B中之一或多者」包括與用其列舉的詞語之任何及所有組合。舉例而言，「A或B」、「A及B中之至少一者」或「A或B中之至少一者」可意味著：(1)包括至少一個A，(2)包括至少一個B，(3)包括A或B中之任一者，或(4)包括至少一個A及至少一個B兩者。The terms "A or B", "at least one of A or/and B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B" used in various embodiments of the present disclosure ” or “one or more of A or/and B” includes any and all combinations of words listed therewith. For example, "A or B", "at least one of A and B" or "at least one of A or B" may mean that: (1) includes at least one of A, (2) includes at least one of B , (3) includes either A or B, or (4) includes both at least one A and at least one B.

100:系統 102:第一容器/容器 104:第一產品/產品 106:第一儲存模組 108:外部資料庫 110:容器資料記錄 116:第二儲存模組 118:容器資料模組 120:容器資料記錄 130:填充模組 152:第二容器 154:第二產品/產品 200:方法 202:操作/填充操作 204:操作 206:操作 301:步驟 302:步驟 303:步驟 304:步驟 305:外部資料庫記錄/記錄 306:步驟 307:記錄 308:步驟 309:步驟 310:步驟 311:記錄 312:步驟 313:步驟 314:記錄/外部資料庫記錄 315:步驟 316:記錄 317:步驟 318:步驟 319:記錄 320:步驟 321:步驟 322:記錄/外部資料庫記錄 323:步驟 324:記錄 325:步驟 326:步驟 327:記錄 328:步驟 329:步驟 330:記錄 331:步驟 332:記錄 333:步驟 334:步驟 335:記錄 336:步驟 337:步驟 338:記錄/外部資料庫記錄 339:步驟 340:記錄/步驟 341:步驟 342:步驟 343:記錄/外部資料庫記錄 344:步驟 345:記錄 346:步驟 347:步驟 348:步驟 349:記錄 350:步驟 351:步驟 352:記錄 401:步驟 402:步驟 403:步驟 404:步驟 405:步驟 406:外部資料庫項目 407:步驟 408:記錄 409:步驟 410:步驟 411:步驟 412:步驟 413:步驟 414:外部資料庫項目 415:步驟 416:步驟 417:外部資料庫項目 418:步驟 419:步驟 420:步驟 421:步驟 422:步驟 423:步驟 424:步驟 425:外部資料庫項目/分散式賬本項目 426:步驟 427:步驟 428:步驟 429:步驟 430:外部資料庫項目 433:步驟 434:步驟 435:步驟 436:外部資料庫項目 437:步驟 439:步驟 440:步驟 441:步驟 442:步驟 443:步驟 445:記錄 446:項目 447a:步驟 447b:步驟 448:步驟 449:步驟 450:步驟 451:外部資料庫項目 456:步驟 457:步驟 458:步驟 459:步驟 460:外部資料庫項目/分散式賬本項目 461:步驟 462:步驟 463:步驟 464:步驟 466:步驟 467:步驟 502:網路 510:電腦 512:電腦處理器 514:第一非暫時性電腦可讀媒體/非暫時性電腦可讀媒體 600:方法 602:操作 604:操作 606:操作 608:操作 610:操作 100: system 102: First container/container 104: First product/product 106: The first storage module 108:External database 110: Container data record 116: Second storage module 118:Container data module 120: container data record 130: Filling module 152: second container 154:Secondary product/product 200: method 202: Operation/fill operation 204: Operation 206: Operation 301: Step 302: Step 303: Step 304: step 305:External database record/record 306: Step 307: record 308: Step 309: Step 310: step 311: record 312: Step 313: Step 314:Record/external database record 315: Step 316: record 317: Step 318: Step 319: record 320: Step 321: Step 322:Record/external database record 323: Step 324: record 325: Step 326: Step 327: record 328:Step 329: Step 330: record 331: Step 332: record 333: step 334: step 335: record 336: step 337: Step 338:Record/external database record 339: Step 340: record/step 341: Step 342: step 343:Record/External database record 344: step 345: record 346: step 347: Step 348: step 349: record 350: step 351: Step 352: record 401: step 402: step 403: step 404: step 405: step 406: External database item 407: step 408: record 409: Step 410: Step 411: Step 412: Step 413:Step 414:External database item 415: Step 416: step 417:External database item 418:Step 419: Step 420: Step 421:Step 422:Step 423:Step 424:step 425:External database project/distributed ledger project 426: step 427:Step 428:Step 429: step 430:External database item 433: step 434: step 435: step 436:External database item 437: step 439: step 440: step 441: step 442: step 443: step 445: record 446: item 447a: Step 447b: Step 448:step 449: step 450: step 451:External database item 456: step 457: step 458:step 459: step 460: External Database Project/Distributed Ledger Project 461:Step 462:Step 463:step 464:step 466:step 467:step 502: network 510: computer 512: computer processor 514: First non-transitory computer readable medium / non-transitory computer readable medium 600: method 602: Operation 604: Operation 606: Operation 608: Operation 610: Operation

圖1為根據本發明之一個實施例的用於追蹤容器中之產品之系統的圖；圖2為由圖1之系統之一個實施例執行的方法之流程圖；圖3A至圖3N及圖4A至圖4P為根據本發明之兩個實施例的用於確證碳信用合格活動之方法的泳道圖；圖5為根據本發明之一個實施例的用於追蹤容器中之產品且用於在本端儲存關於產品之資料直至網路變得可存取之系統的圖；且圖6為由圖5之系統之一個實施例執行的方法之流程圖。 1 is a diagram of a system for tracking products in containers according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method performed by one embodiment of the system of Figure 1; 3A to 3N and 4A to 4P are swim lane diagrams of methods for confirming carbon credit eligible activities according to two embodiments of the present invention; 5 is a diagram of a system for tracking products in containers and for storing information about the products locally until network access becomes available, according to one embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method performed by one embodiment of the system of FIG. 5 .

100:系統 100: system

102:第一容器/容器 102: First container/container

104:第一產品/產品 104: First product/product

106:第一儲存模組 106: The first storage module

108:外部資料庫 108:External database

110:容器資料記錄 110: Container data record

116:第二儲存模組 116: Second storage module

118:容器資料模組 118:Container data module

120:容器資料記錄 120: container data record

130:填充模組 130: Filling module

152:第二容器 152: second container

154:第二產品/產品 154:Secondary product/product

Claims

一種由執行儲存於至少一個第一非暫時性電腦可讀媒體上之電腦程式指令的至少一個電腦處理器執行之方法，該方法包含： (A) 回應於用一第一產品填充一第一容器，在一外部資料庫中之至少一個第一記錄中儲存表示以下各項之資料：該第一產品之一產品類型；填充至該第一容器中之該第一產品之一量；該第一容器之一唯一身份；及在用該第一產品填充該第一容器時該第一容器之一第一使用者之一唯一身份；及 (B) 在該第一容器上之一容器資料模組中儲存表示該容器資料模組之一唯一身份的資料。 A method performed by at least one computer processor executing computer program instructions stored on at least one first non-transitory computer-readable medium, the method comprising: (A) in response to filling a first container with a first product, storing in at least one first record in an external database data representing: a product type of the first product; the amount of the first product filled into the first container; a unique identity of the first container; and a unique identity of a first user of the first container when filling the first container with the first product; and (B) storing in a container data module on the first container data representing a unique identity for the container data module.

如請求項1之方法，該方法進一步包含： (C) 基於在(A)及(B)中之至少一者中儲存之該資料來確定該第一產品之出處。 As the method of claim item 1, the method further includes: (C) Determining the provenance of the first product based on the information stored in at least one of (A) and (B).

如請求項2之方法，其中(C)包含基於在(A)中儲存於該外部資料庫中之該資料來確定該第一產品之該出處。The method of claim 2, wherein (C) includes determining the source of the first product based on the data stored in the external database in (A).

如請求項2之方法，其中(C)包含基於在(B)中儲存於該容器資料模組中之該資料來確定該第一產品之該出處。The method of claim 2, wherein (C) includes determining the source of the first product based on the data stored in the container data module in (B).

如請求項2之方法，其中(C)包含基於在(A)中儲存於該外部資料庫中之該資料及在(B)中儲存於該容器資料模組中之該資料來確定該第一產品之該出處。The method of claim 2, wherein (C) includes determining the first The source of the product.

如請求項1之方法，其中(A)進一步包含：回應於用該第一產品填充該第一容器，在該外部資料庫中之該至少一個第一記錄中儲存表示在用該第一產品填充該第一容器時該第一容器之一第一所有者之一唯一身份的資料。 The method of claim 1, wherein (A) further includes: In response to filling the first container with the first product, storing in the at least one first record in the external database a first ownership of the first container when the first container was filled with the first product uniquely identifiable information for one of the parties.

如請求項1之方法，其中(A)進一步包含：回應於用該第一產品填充該第一容器，在該外部資料庫中之該至少一個第一記錄中儲存表示在用該第一產品填充該第一容器時該第一容器之一第一位置的資料。 The method of claim 1, wherein (A) further includes: In response to filling the first container with the first product, storing in the at least one first record in the external database indicates a first location of the first container when the first container was filled with the first product data of.

如請求項1之方法，其中(A)進一步包含：回應於用該第一產品填充該第一容器，在該外部資料庫中之該至少一個第一記錄中儲存表示用該第一產品填充該第一容器之一第一時間的資料。 The method of claim 1, wherein (A) further includes: In response to filling the first container with the first product, storing in the at least one first record in the external database data representing a first time the first container was filled with the first product.

如請求項1之方法，其中(A)進一步包含：回應於用該第一產品填充該第一容器，在該外部資料庫中之該至少一個第一記錄中儲存表示在用該第一產品填充該第一容器時該第一容器之一第一處理器之一唯一身份的資料。 The method of claim 1, wherein (A) further includes: In response to filling the first container with the first product, storing in the at least one first record in the external database representing a first treatment of the first container when filling the first container with the first product One of the unique identity information of the device.

如請求項9之方法，該方法進一步包含： (C) 在該外部資料庫中之至少一個第二記錄中儲存表示該第一容器之一第二處理器的資料，其中該第一處理器不同於該第二處理器。 As the method of claim item 9, the method further includes: (C) storing in at least one second record in the external database data indicative of a second processor of the first container, where the first processor is different from the second processor.

如請求項1之方法，該方法進一步包含： (C) 回應於用該第一產品填充該第一容器，在該容器上之一電子記憶體中儲存以下各項中之至少一者：該第一產品之該產品類型；填充至該第一容器中之該第一產品之該量；該第一容器之該唯一身份；及在用該第一產品填充該第一容器時該第一容器之該第一使用者之該唯一身份。 As the method of claim item 1, the method further includes: (C) In response to filling the first container with the first product, storing in an electronic memory on the container at least one of: the product type of the first product; the quantity of the first product filled into the first container; the unique identity of the first container; and The unique identity of the first user of the first container when filling the first container with the first product.

如請求項11之方法，其中該容器資料模組包含該電子記憶體。The method of claim 11, wherein the container data module includes the electronic memory.

如請求項11之方法，該方法進一步包含： (D) 在(C)之前，在該第一容器上之一RFID標籤處無線接收表示在(A)中儲存之該資料的一信號。 As the method of claim item 11, the method further includes: (D) prior to (C), wirelessly receiving at an RFID tag on the first container a signal representative of the data stored in (A).

如請求項1之方法，其中該容器資料模組為一非電子容器資料模組，且其中儲存表示該容器資料模組之該唯一身份的該資料包含將表示該容器資料模組之該唯一身份的該資料以一非電子形式儲存在該容器資料模組上。The method of claim 1, wherein the CDM is a non-electronic CDM, and wherein storing the data representing the unique identity of the CDM includes representing the unique identity of the CDM The data is stored in a non-electronic form on the container data module.

如請求項14之方法，其中將表示該容器資料模組之該唯一身份的該資料以一非電子形式儲存在該容器資料模組上包含將該容器資料模組之該唯一身份作為一條碼儲存在該容器資料模組上。The method of claim 14, wherein storing the data representing the unique identity of the container information module in a non-electronic form on the container information module comprises storing the unique identity of the container information module as a barcode on the container profile module.

如請求項14之方法，其中將表示該容器資料模組之該唯一身份的該資料以一非電子形式儲存在該容器資料模組上包含將該容器資料模組之該唯一身份作為一QR碼儲存在該容器資料模組上。The method of claim 14, wherein storing the data representing the unique identity of the container information module on the container information module in a non-electronic form comprises using the unique identity of the container information module as a QR code stored on the container data module.

如請求項1之方法，該方法進一步包含： (C) 在該外部資料庫中之至少一個第二記錄中儲存表示該第一容器之一第二位置的資料，其中該第一位置不同於該第二位置。 As the method of claim item 1, the method further includes: (C) storing in at least one second record in the external database data indicative of a second location of the first container, wherein the first location is different from the second location.

如請求項1之方法，該方法進一步包含： (C)在自該第一容器分配至少一些該第一產品之後，在該外部資料庫中之至少一個第二記錄中儲存表示該分配的資料。 As the method of claim item 1, the method further includes: (C) after dispensing at least some of the first product from the first container, storing data indicative of the dispensation in at least one second record in the external database.

如請求項18之方法，其中表示該分配的該資料包含表示自該第一容器分配之該第一產品之一量的資料。The method of claim 18, wherein the data representing the dispensing includes data representing an amount of the first product dispensed from the first container.

如請求項18之方法，其中表示該分配的該資料包含表示在該分配之後在該第一容器中剩餘之該第一產品之一量的資料。The method of claim 18, wherein the data indicative of the dispensing includes data indicative of an amount of the first product remaining in the first container after the dispensing.

如請求項18之方法，其中表示該分配的該資料包含表示自該第一容器分配之該第一產品之一類型的資料。The method of claim 18, wherein the data representing the dispensing includes data representing a type of the first product dispensed from the first container.

如請求項18之方法，其中表示該分配的該資料包含表示在該分配時該第一容器之一處理器之一唯一身份的資料。The method of claim 18, wherein the data representing the distribution includes data representing a unique identity of a processor of the first container at the time of the distribution.

如請求項18之方法，其中表示該分配的該資料包含表示在該分配時該第一容器之一所有者之一唯一身份的資料。The method of claim 18, wherein the data representative of the distribution includes data representative of a unique identity of an owner of the first container at the time of the distribution.

如請求項18之方法，其中表示該分配的該資料包含表示在該分配時該第一容器之一第二位置的資料，其中該第二位置不同於該第一位置。The method of claim 18, wherein the data indicative of the dispensing includes data indicative of a second location of the first container at the time of the dispensing, wherein the second location is different from the first location.

如請求項18之方法，其中表示該分配的該資料包含表示自該第一容器分配該第一產品之一速率的資料。The method of claim 18, wherein the data indicative of the dispensing comprises data indicative of a rate at which the first product is dispensed from the first container.

如請求項18之方法，其中該分配包含在複數個位置L中之每一者處分配至少一些該第一產品，且其中(C)包含：對於該複數個位置L中之每一者，在表示該分配的該資料中儲存：(1)表示在位置L處自該第一容器分配之該第一產品之一量的資料；及(2)表示該位置L的資料。 The method of claim 18, wherein the distributing comprises distributing at least some of the first product at each of a plurality of locations L, and wherein (C) comprises: For each of the plurality of locations L, storing in the data representing the dispensation: (1) data representing a quantity of the first product dispensed from the first container at location L; and (2 ) indicates the data of the location L.

如請求項26之方法，其中(C)進一步包含：對於該複數個位置L中之每一者，在表示該分配的該資料中儲存：(3)表示在位置L處自該容器分配該產品之一速率的資料。 The method of claim 26, wherein (C) further includes: For each of the plurality of locations L, stored in the data representing the dispensing: (3) data representing a rate at which the product is dispensed from the container at location L.

如請求項26之方法，該方法進一步包含： (D) 基於該外部資料庫中之該至少一個第一記錄及該外部資料庫中之該至少一個第二記錄來判定是否已滿足一碳信用之一準則；及 (E) 產生指示是否已滿足該碳信用之該準則的輸出。 As the method of claim 26, the method further includes: (D) determining whether a criterion for a carbon credit has been met based on the at least one first record in the external database and the at least one second record in the external database; and (E) producing an output indicating whether the criteria for the carbon credit have been met.

如請求項1之方法，該方法進一步包含： (C) 在(A)之前，以一篡改易顯方式用該第一產品填充該第一容器。 As the method of claim item 1, the method further includes: (C) Prior to (A), filling the first container with the first product in a tamper-evident manner.

如請求項1之方法，該方法進一步包含： (C) 在將至少一些該第一產品自該第一容器轉移至一第二容器之後，在該外部資料庫中之至少一個第二記錄中儲存表示該轉移的資料。 As the method of claim item 1, the method further includes: (C) after transferring at least some of the first product from the first container to a second container, storing data representing the transfer in at least one second record in the external database.

如請求項1之方法，其中(A)包含以一加密形式將該資料儲存在該外部資料庫中。The method of claim 1, wherein (A) comprises storing the data in the external database in an encrypted form.

如請求項1之方法，其中該第一產品包含一肥料。The method of claim 1, wherein the first product comprises a fertilizer.

如請求項1之方法，其中該第一產品包含一殺蟲劑。The method of claim 1, wherein the first product comprises a pesticide.

如請求項1之方法，其中該第一產品包含固氮微生物。The method according to claim 1, wherein the first product comprises nitrogen-fixing microorganisms.

如請求項1之方法，其中該第一產品包含種子。The method of claim 1, wherein the first product comprises seeds.

如請求項1之方法，其中該第一產品包含基於石油之燃料。The method of claim 1, wherein the first product comprises a petroleum-based fuel.

如請求項1之方法，其中該第一產品包含一農作物投入產品。The method of claim 1, wherein the first product comprises a crop input product.

如請求項1之方法，其中該外部資料庫包含一分散式賬本。The method of claim 1, wherein the external database includes a distributed ledger.

如請求項38之方法，其中該分散式賬本包含一區塊鏈，且其中該至少一個第一記錄包含該區塊鏈中之至少一個第一區塊。The method of claim 38, wherein the distributed ledger comprises a blockchain, and wherein the at least one first record comprises at least one first block in the blockchain.

如請求項1之方法，其中該外部資料庫不包含一分散式賬本。The method of claim 1, wherein the external database does not include a distributed ledger.

如請求項40之方法，該方法進一步包含： (C) 在(A)之後，將該產品類型、該第一產品之該量、該第一容器之該唯一身份及該第一容器之該第一使用者之該唯一身份儲存在一分散式賬本中。 As the method of claim item 40, the method further includes: (C) After (A), storing the product type, the quantity of the first product, the unique identity of the first container, and the unique identity of the first user of the first container in a distributed in the ledger.

如請求項1之方法，其中用該第一產品填充該第一容器包含將該第一產品自一源容器轉移至該第一容器，且其中(A)包含自該源容器上之一容器資料模組讀取該第一產品之該產品類型。 The method of claim 1, wherein filling the first container with the first product comprises transferring the first product from a source container to the first container, and Wherein (A) includes reading the product type of the first product from a container data module on the source container.

如請求項1之方法，其中(A)進一步包含：自該第一容器上之該容器資料模組讀取該第一容器之該唯一身份；及在自該第一容器上之該容器資料模組讀取該第一容器之該唯一身份之後，將該第一容器之該唯一身份儲存在該外部資料庫中之該至少一個第一記錄中。 The method of claim 1, wherein (A) further includes: read the unique identity of the first container from the container data module on the first container; and After reading the unique identity of the first container from the container data module on the first container, storing the unique identity of the first container in the at least one first record in the external database.

如請求項1之方法，其中(A)進一步包含：自一自動地理定位服務自動獲得該第一容器之該第一位置；及在自該自動地理定位服務獲得該第一容器之該第一位置之後，將該第一容器之該第一位置儲存在該外部資料庫中之該至少一個第一記錄中。 The method of claim 1, wherein (A) further includes: automatically obtain the first location of the first container from an automated geolocation service; and After obtaining the first location of the first container from the automated geolocation service, storing the first location of the first container in the at least one first record in the external database.

如請求項1之方法，其中(A)包含基於將該第一產品分配至該第一容器中之一產品分配模組中的一馬達之一轉數來量測填充至該第一容器中之該第一產品之該量。The method of claim 1, wherein (A) comprises measuring the amount of filling into the first container based on the number of revolutions of a motor in a product dispensing module that dispenses the first product into the first container. the quantity of the first product.

一種包含儲存有電腦程式指令之至少一個第一非暫時性電腦可讀媒體的系統，該等電腦程式指令能夠由至少一個電腦處理器執行以執行一方法，該方法包含： (A) 回應於用一第一產品填充一第一容器，在一外部資料庫中之至少一個第一記錄中儲存表示以下各項之資料：該第一產品之一產品類型；填充至該第一容器中之該第一產品之一量；該第一容器之一唯一身份；及在用該第一產品填充該第一容器時該第一容器之一第一使用者之一唯一身份；及 (B) 在該第一容器上之一容器資料模組中儲存表示該容器資料模組之一唯一身份的資料。 A system comprising at least one first non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer program instructions executable by at least one computer processor to perform a method, the method comprising: (A) in response to filling a first container with a first product, storing in at least one first record in an external database data representing: a product type of the first product; the amount of the first product filled into the first container; a unique identity of the first container; and a unique identity of a first user of the first container when filling the first container with the first product; and (B) storing in a container data module on the first container data representing a unique identity for the container data module.